BILL NUMBER: AB 287	CHAPTERED  09/22/05

	CHAPTER  290
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 22, 2005
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  SEPTEMBER 22, 2005
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  SEPTEMBER 1, 2005
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 30, 2005
	AMENDED IN SENATE  AUGUST 25, 2005
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 28, 2005
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 14, 2005
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 26, 2005
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 31, 2005

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Negrete McLeod

                        FEBRUARY 9, 2005

   An act to add Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 4147) to
Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 4 of the Public Resources Code,
relating to disaster response.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 287, Negrete McLeod  Rapid Disaster Response Act of 2005.
   Under existing law, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
is required, among other things, to provide fire prevention and
firefighting equipment, organize crews and patrols, and employ
necessary personnel.
   Existing law authorizes the department, with the approval of the
Department of General Services, to enter into cooperative agreements
for the purpose of preventing and suppressing forest fires or other
fires in any lands within any county, city, or district that makes an
appropriation for that purpose.
   This bill would enact the Rapid Disaster Response Act of 2005. The
bill would require the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection to
draw upon eligible federal funds to augment any state funds
appropriated by the Legislature for the purpose of replacing the
department's aging helicopter fleet.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) In the aftermath of the firestorms that devastated southern
California in the fall of 2003, a bipartisan 34-member Blue Ribbon
Fire Commission was established to examine the devastating effects of
the fires in an effort to prevent similar devastation of life and
property in the future.
   (b) The commission's final report called on the state to, among
other things, examine alternatives for the replacement and
diversification of the aging helicopter fleet of the Department of
Forestry and Fire Protection and begin a helicopter replacement
planning cycle.
   (c) Since 1981, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has
effectively and efficiently utilized the Federal Excess Personal
Property Program to cost-effectively acquire and refurbish surplus
federal military aircraft, including UH-1 helicopters, for use in its
aerial firefighting and rescue operations.
   (d) The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's ability to
continue to acquire surplus military UH-1 aircraft and parts is in
doubt, because the military no longer purchases these aircraft.
   (e) In light of the commission's findings, it is imperative that
the state have the resources necessary to meet the future needs of
the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and to ensure that in
the event of a major disaster, such as the 2003 southern California
fire siege, adequate resources are available and can be quickly and
efficiently deployed.
  SEC. 2.  Article 4.5 (commencing with Section 4147) is added to
Chapter 1 of Part 2 of Division 4 of the Public Resources Code, to
read:

      Article 4.5.  Rapid Disaster Response Act of 2005

   4147.  This article shall be known, and may be cited, as the Rapid
Disaster Response Act of 2005.
   4148.  The director shall draw upon eligible federal funds to
augment any state funds appropriated by the Legislature for the
purpose of replacing the department's aging helicopter fleet.