Committee votes to pass bill establishing Fire Innovation Unit in statute, with contracting clarifications

The Assembly Emergency Management Committee voted to pass SB 10 79 after the bill sponsor and staff agreed to return the measure to its April version and accept technical cleanups.

The chair opened the hearing and said the session was convened to ensure substantive changes had been vetted. "This meeting is officially open, Assembly Emergency Management 77.2 hearing, regarding SB 10 79," the chair said at the start of the record. The sponsor described the bill as a way to field-test emergency technologies before making large procurements and sought the committee’s support.

Daniel Kim, who identified himself as a procurement director working with the bill sponsors, told the committee the language would clarify roles between CAL FIRE and Cal OES and explained how contracting could be structured. "We're happy again to share that language with you," Kim said, adding that the initial contract could be competitive while subsequent amendments might be sole-source in limited cases.

Committee members voiced procedural and policy concerns but recorded unanimous support in the roll call. The chair instructed the secretary to call the roll and the motion to "do pass as amended and re-refer to the Assembly floor" carried with all present voting aye. The chair then announced the bill "is out" and adjourned the hearing.

The vote advances the measure to the Assembly floor, where further policy committee review or floor action will come next.