BILL NUMBER: SB 902	ENROLLED
	BILL TEXT

	PASSED THE SENATE  APRIL 22, 2010
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  JUNE 24, 2010
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MARCH 11, 2010

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Ashburn

                        JANUARY 26, 2010

   An act to amend Section 14831 of the Health and Safety Code,
relating to fire protection.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 902, Ashburn. Fire protection: county regulation.
   Existing law authorizes the organization of fire companies by
filing a certificate with the county Fire and Rescue Operational Area
Coordinator, as specified. Existing law authorizes a county which
has a population of 1,000,000 or more to regulate the formation,
continued existence, and ongoing operations of fire companies, as
specified.
   This bill would reduce the population requirement to 400,000 or
more persons in order for a county to regulate the formation,
continued existence, and ongoing operations of fire companies.


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

  SECTION 1.  Section 14831 of the Health and Safety Code is amended
to read:
   14831.  The board of supervisors of a county that has a population
of 400,000 or more on or after January 1, 1985, may, by ordinance,
regulate the formation and continued existence of fire companies. The
board of supervisors may authorize the formation of any new fire
company within the county where it determines that a reasonable level
of fire services does not already exist and where the provision of
supplemental or competing fire services by any other entity would not
result in the mismanagement of emergencies or in confusion to those
seeking aid.
   The board of supervisors may order that any fire companies formed
pursuant to this part may continue to exist upon making the
determination that the circumstances stated above exist. The board of
supervisors may, by ordinance, establish additional regulations and
criteria for the establishment and ongoing operation of fire
companies organized pursuant to this part.