Governor Signs $325B Budget with Negotiations on Wildfire & Forest Resilience Items Continuing into the Summer
On June 27, Governor Newsom signed the Budget Act of 2025 which the California Legislature passed on June 13. It is expected that budget-related negotiations will continue into the summer with budget trailer bills voted on before the close of the legislative session on September 12. Specific natural resource highlights of this budget include:
- Approving the Cap and Invest May Revision Finance Letter with a $1 billion fund shift in 2025-26 for CAL FIRE operations and the remaining Greenhouse Gas Reduction (GGRF) dollars to be appropriated later.
- Adopting intent language to fund shift future GGRF revenue to CAL FIRE baseline operations if a General Fund deficit exists, including: $1.25 billion in 2026-27, $500 million in 2027-28, and $500 million in 2028-29. If a deficit does not exist, $500 million in 2026-27 shall still be fund shifted.
- Deferring reauthorization of the State’s Cap and Invest program to the summer, along with further allocations of funds derived from the program.
- $12.5 million from the General Fund for a new community home hardening program consisting of $9.5 million for the Wildfire County Coordinator Program and $3 million for a new home hardening certification program under the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
- $10 million from the General Fund, for incarcerated individuals who serve in the Conservation (Fire) Camp Program. This program provides a workforce for suppression and other conservation work.
- Transitioning 3,000 seasonal firefighter positions to permanent (year-round) positions, phased over three years.