BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                  SB 828
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   July 18, 2007

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                  Mark Leno, Chair

                    SB 828 (Padilla) - As Amended:  July 12, 2007 

          Policy Committee:                              Governmental  
          Organization Vote:                            14 - 0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          No     Reimbursable:              

           SUMMARY  

          This bill requires the state fire marshal to work with  
          recognized statewide fire investigation entities to update  
          standards and procedures governing the use of accelerate  
          detection dogs.  These updates must be completed by January 1,  
          2009.

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          One time costs of less than $125,000 for the state fire marshal  
          to coordinate with interested parties and update the  
          regulations.

           COMMENTS  

           Purpose  . According to the author, the goal of AB 828 is to  
          ensure that the Accelerant Detection K-9 Program remains  
          credible in California. Accelerant detection dogs have become an  
          important companion to fire investigators when probing the  
          causes of a fire. By using their trained senses, these dogs can  
          detect evidence of ignitable liquids or accelerants, such as  
          petrol, kerosene, and diesel fuel. Their work could determine  
          whether or not the fire was an accident or deliberate. 


           Analysis Prepared by  :    Julie Salley-Gray / APPR. / (916)  
          319-2081