California Regulatory Notice Register — Register 2026, No. 28-Z (JULY 10, 2026)

Cal. Reg. Notice Reg. 2026, No. 28

California Z Register

Time- Dated Material GAVIN NEWSOM, GOVERNOR OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW California Regulatory Notice Register REGISTER 2026, NUMBER 28–Z PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JULY 10, 2026 PROPOSED ACTION ON REGULATIONS TITLE 14. BOARD OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION Silviculture Amendments 2026 — Notice File Number Z2026–0630–01 ..................................... 881 TITLE 14.

BOARD OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION Points of Light: Minor Rule Updates for Clarity and Consistency 2025 — Notice File Number Z2026–0630–04 ................................................................................. 886 TITLE 14. BOARD OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION Noticing Processes and Rules Specific to the Southern Subdistrict and Santa Cruz County, 2026 — Notice File Number Z2026–0630–06 ................................................................. 890 TITLE 15.

CORRECTIONAL TRAINING AND REHABILITATION AUTHORITY Conflict–of–Interest Code — Notice File Number Z2026–0619–02 ......................................... 894 TITLE 16. BOARD OF REGISTERED NURSING Nurse Practitioner — Notice File Number Z2026–0626–01 ............................................... 895 TITLE 16. BUREAU OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR Airbag Safety — Notice File Number Z2026–0624–03 ................................................... 898 TITLE 16. ARCHITECTS BOARD Architect in Training — Notice File Number Z2026–0629–02 ............................................. 902 TITLE 19.

OFFICE OF ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE SAFETY/UNDERGROUND FACILITIES SAFE EXCA V ATION BOARD Regional Notification Center Membership Termination — Notice File Number Z2026–0630–05 .................. 905 (Continued on next page)

GENERAL PUBLIC INTEREST FISH AND GAME COMMISSION Notice of Findings of Candidacy for Southern Resident Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) ........................... 908 RULEMAKING PETITION DECISIONS DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL PROTECTION AND INNOV ATION Regarding Petition from Keith Paul Bishop Concerning Licensed Lenders ................................... 908 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL PROTECTION AND INNOV ATION Regarding Petition from Keith Paul Bishop Concerning Updating and Correcting References ................... 909 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL PROTECTION AND INNOV ATION Regarding Petition from Keith Paul Bishop to Amend Title 10,

Section 260.204.7, of the California Code of Regulations .............................................................................. 910 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL PROTECTION AND INNOV ATION Regarding Petition from Keith Paul Bishop Concerning Repealing Title 10,

section 260.105.35 of the California Code of Regulations ..................................................................... 910 DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL PROTECTION AND INNOV ATION Regarding Petition from Keith Paul Bishop Concerning Petition to Amend Title 10 of the California Code of Regulations, Sections 250.60 and 250.61 ....................................................... 910 DECISION NOT TO PROCEED STATE PERSONNEL BOARD Concerning Discrimination Complaint Process, Original Notice Published on July 18, 2025 .................... 912 ACCEPTANCE OF PETITION TO REVIEW ALLEGED UNDERGROUND REGULATIONS EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AUTHORITY Petition Challenging an Undated Two–Page Document Titled “Levels of Exclusivity for Scope of Operations of ‘Emergency Ambulance Services’” and “Ambulance Service Scope of Operation

Definitions” Issued by the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) ................................... 913

SUMMARY OF REGULATORY ACTIONS Regulations filed with Secretary of State .............................................................. 913 The California Regulatory Notice Register is an official state publication of the Office of Administrative Law containing notices of proposed regulatory actions by state regulatory agencies to adopt, amend or repeal regulations contained in the California Code of Regulations. The effective period of a notice of proposed regulatory action by a state agency in the California Regulatory Notice Register shall not exceed one year [Government Code § 11346.4(b)].

It is suggested, therefore, that issues of the California Regulatory Notice Register be retained for a minimum of 18 months. CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER is published weekly by the Office of Administrative Law, 300 Capitol Mall, Suite 1250, Sacramento, CA 95814-4339. The Register is printed by Barclays, a subsidiary of West, a Thomson Reuters Business, and is offered by subscription for $409.00 (annual price). To order or make changes to current subscriptions, please call (800) 328−4880. The Register can also be accessed at https://oal.ca.gov .

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 881 PROPOSED ACTION ON REGULATIONS Information contained in this document is published as received from agencies and is not edited by Thomson Reuters. TITLE 14. BOARD OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION SILVICULTURE AMENDMENTS, 2026 NATURE OF PROCEEDING Notice is hereby given that the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Board) is pro- posing to take the action described in the Informative Digest.

PUBLIC HEARING The Board will hold a public hearing on August 26, 2026, at its meeting commencing at 9:00 a.m., in the Natural Resources Building, Room 2–201, 715 P Street, Sacramento, CA. At the hearing, any person may present statements or arguments, orally or in writing, relevant to the proposed action. The Board re- quests, but does not require, that persons who make oral comments at the hearing also submit a written

summary of their statements. Additionally, pursuant to Government Code (GOV) § 11125.1(b), writings that are public records pursuant to GOV § 11125.1(

a) and that are distributed to members of the state body prior to or during a meeting, pertaining to any item to be considered during the meeting, shall be made avail- able for public inspection at the meeting if prepared by the state body or a member of the state body, or after the meeting if prepared by some other person. Attendees may also participate via the online meet - ing platform or telephone conferencing. To partic - ipate via the online meeting platform please email PublicComments@bof.ca.gov by 4:30 p.m. on August 25, 2026 to request a link to the meeting.

A link to the meeting will also be posted under the “Webinar Infor- mation” heading on the front page of the Board web - site, no later than 8:00 a.m. the morning of the hearing. WRITTEN COMMENT PERIOD Any person, or authorized representative, may sub - mit written comments relevant to the proposed regula- tory action to the Board. The written comments must be received by the Board via mail, facsimile, or hand delivery no later than 5:00 p.m. August 26, 2026. Written comments may be delivered via email at the following address: PublicComments@BOF.ca.gov Written comments may be submitted via U.S.

Mail to the following address: Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Attention: Jane Van Susteren Regulations Coordinator P.O. Box 944246 Sacramento, CA 94244–2460 Written comments can also be hand delivered to the contact person listed in this notice at the following address: Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 715 P Street Sacramento, CA 95814 AUTHORITY AND REFERENCE (PURSUANT TO GOV § 11346.5(A)

(2) AND 1 CCR § 14) Authority cited: Sections 4551, 4553, and 4561 Pub- lic Resources Code. Reference: Sections 4512, 4551.5, 4561, 4561.2, 4582(d), 4582(h), 4582 and 4582.5, 4587 Public Re - sources Code. INFORMATIVE DIGEST/POLICY STATEMENT OVERVIEW (PURSUANT TO GOV 11346.5(A) (3) (A)–(D)) Pursuant to the Z’berg–Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973, Public Resources Code § 4511, et seq. (Act) the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Board) is authorized to construct a system of forest practice reg- ulations applicable to timber management on state and private timberlands.

PRC § 4551 requires the Board to “…adopt district forest practice rules… to ensure the continuous grow- ing and harvesting of commercial forest tree species and to protect the soil, air, fish, wildlife, and water re- sources…” and PRC § 4553 requires the Board to con- tinuously review the rules in consultation with other interests and make appropriate revisions.

Furthermore, PRC § 4551.5 requires that the regu - lations adopted by the Board “…apply to the conduct of timber operations and shall include, but shall not be limited to, measures for fire prevention and control, for soil erosion control, for site preparation that in - volves disturbance of soil or burning of vegetation fol-

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 882 lowing timber harvesting activities, for water quality and watershed control, for flood control, for stocking, for protection against timber operations that unneces - sarily destroy young timber growth or timber produc - tivity of the soil, for prevention and control of damage by forest insects, pests, and disease…”. Under PRC § 4528(d) “site classification” means the classification of productive potential of Timberland into one of five classes by Board regulation, consis - tent with normally accepted forestry practices.

Site I denotes sites of highest productivity, Site II and Site III denote sites of intermediate productivity potential, and Site IV and V denote sites of lowest productivity potential. Specific classification is covered in 14 CCR § 1060, where site classification is determined by site index ranges, values based on the average height of dominant trees on a site that are 100 years old (or, for ponderosa pine, Jeffery pine, mixed conifer, and true fir forest types, for the average height of dominant trees at 100 and 300 years).

PRC § 4513 states “It is the intent of the Legisla - ture to create and maintain an effective and compre - hensive system of regulation and use of all Timber - lands so as to ensure both of the following: (

a) Where feasible, the productivity of Timberlands is restored, enhanced, and maintained; and (

b) The goal of max - imum sustained production of high–quality timber products is achieved while giving consideration to val- ues relating to sequestration of carbon dioxide, recre - ation, watershed, wildlife, range and forage, fisheries, regional economic vitality, employment, and aesthetic enjoyment.” In the 2023 Call for Regulatory Review, Robert Little, Registered Professional Forester (RPF) #2651, submitted a comment on the high stocking require - ments for young commercial species of pine (sug - ar pine, ponderosa pine, Jeffrey pine, etc.) after a pre–commercial thin.

He noted that many of the most productive sites — Site I lands — were subject to high tree mortality partially as a result of high stocking re - quirements and partly due to the higher temperatures and droughts that are the result of climate change. Re- search supports this statement; Zhang et al.’s 2019 study examined the effects of thinning of young ponderosa pine plantations to various densities in a multi–site, multi–decade study.

The conclusion states “The de - tailed tracking records for these long–term ponder - osa pine research plots demonstrated that lowering stand density enhanced remaining tree growth, re - duced mortality, and increased stand resiliency to dis- turbance and climate change, reflected by the lower variability within the lower–density plots than in the higher–density plots.” These less–dense stands are also more resistant to fire; “For example, a recent wild- fire in the spring of 2018 that burnt through one of the lower–density plots at Elliot Ranch did not kill a single tree.

This personal observation suggests that this particular lower–density plot may provide a more secure condition for carbon storage than the high–density plots.” Agee and Skinner’s seminal 2005 paper concurs, stating “Ponderosa pine grown un - der the Mediterranean climate is surely such a sys - tem where larger–diameter trees grown in lower den - sities are typically better able to survive a fire than smaller trees.” Battaglia and Shepperd, 2007, indicate that lower densities may resemble historic forests, “Pre–settlement ponderosa pine forests were irregu - larly spaced, uneven–aged stands with trees growing together in small even–aged groups and grassy mead - ows between the groups.

Although some groups could be overstocked, estimations for tree density and bas - al area in pre–settlement ponderosa pine forests are low — approximately 99 to 148 trees/ha (40 to 60 trees/acre) with basal areas of 11.5 m2/ha (50 ft2/acre) — indicating the great size of the mature ponderosa pine trees.” The 1992 Fountain Fire, 1992 Cleveland Fire, and 2013 Rim Fire represent over three hundred thousand acres that contain high–site pine–dominated stands growing on private lands.

These stands were replanted post–fire and have grown rapidly and reestablished in- creased basal areas — the first intermediate treatment to thin tree density will occur in the next five to ten years. Mr. Little notes that maximum sustained pro - duction of timber is tied to maintaining a stand density index that maximizes timber growth while minimiz - ing losses to mortality, and that under current climate and pest conditions, the minimum required stand den- sity for young pine trees will need to be reduced to achieve maximum sustained production. The risks identified by Mr.

Little are reflected by the Forest Fire Prevention Exemption Monitoring Report (CAL FIRE 2022): in younger, even–aged stands, meet- ing optimal conditions for fuel reduction was limited by tree density. “Younger stands (“plantations”) may benefit from increased tree spacing to reduce horizon- tal continuity as the stand matures.” The report also notes “small, young, forest stands likely will always have less closure/cover when spaced at a level close to a more mature and ‘fire resilient’ stand, while current- ly acceptable (under the Forest Practice Rules (FPRs)) closure/cover values in these stands would result in denser, possibly fire–prone stands.” In the 2025 Call for Regulatory Review, the Men - docino Redwood Company and Humboldt Redwood Company raised an issue concerning variable retention standards.

Variable retention is a special prescription for timber harvest under 14 CCR 913.4(

d) that allows for long–term retention of ecologically or culturally important landscape features: wildlife habitat such as mature oaks, snags, and logs; historic or cultural sites; or sites that pose potential ecological or safety haz -

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 883 ards including geologically unstable areas. When this prescription is used, a defined proportion of the land - scape must be within the retained landscape features, dependent on the size of the harvest area. These re - tained landscape features must be present on 20–acre extents of the harvest area. The issue raised in the Call for Regulatory Review was that the CAL FIRE Forest Practice Review Team (the Department) required that these retention standards be met on a ‘floating’ (i.e. every possible) 20–acre area.

The use of infinite ver - sus finite sampling sizes resulted in required retention areas occupying a larger proportion of the landscape. The problems that this proposed rulemaking aims to address concerns silviculture standards. First, requir - ing landowners to meet variable retention standards on every possible 20–acre maximum area results in an infinite sampling bias, requiring landowners to leave greater aggregate area retention than is required in the rules.

However, the intention of variable retention is to retain structural elements throughout the harvest area; relying only on fixed measurement locations might re- sult in uneven distribution of harvested areas. The other issue concerns intermediate treatments in high–site pine.

While seedlings may initially be plant- ed at a high density to ensure survival of a plantation or stand through the highest–mortality period of a tree’s life, the stocking standards after the first thin - ning were calculated during an era with different lev - els of fire and pest hazard and may result in high mor- tality and increased fire hazard. The maintenance of a forest with maximum sustained production requires a longer — and more adaptable — outlook than was anticipated when the standards for intermediate treat - ments were first drafted.

The purpose of the proposed action is to update sil - vicultural standards: to provide fixed measurement plots for calculating retention requirements in variable retention prescriptions while also ensuring a maxi - mum distance to a retained tree; and to decrease the required stocking levels for intermediate treatments in young pine stands on high–productivity lands to meet the challenges of a hotter, drier climate with novel tree pests.

The effect of the proposed action will be a rule change that provides appropriate deference to the RPF who is most familiar with the harvest area, in - cluding that area’s distribution of important struc - tural elements and biological legacies, geomorpholo - gy, and responsible for planning of harvesting oper - ations and post–harvest site preparation. There will be no change in the required retention standards, only a change in the required distribution of the retained areas.

The rule change establishes a maximum spa - tially explicit distribution distance for aggregate re - tention areas, consistent with intent that retained pre–harvest stand structural elements be integrated within the post–harvest stand to achieve various eco - logical, social, and geomorphologic objectives. The proposed action will also allow for lower post–thinning tree density in young high–site pine stands to the standards for young mid–site pine stands. The benefit of the proposed action is expected to lead to greater consistency in rule

interpretation and implementation, reduce the number of the Depart - ment’s Timber Harvest Plan returns and first review questions, to provide clear enforceable standards, and clarify the RPF’s responsibility in designating aggre - gate retention areas. It will also allow for more resil - ient young pine stands in high–site parts of the state, allowing for the continued maximum sustained pro - duction of timber and protection of related values in - cluding watershed, wildlife, range and forage, fisher - ies, regional economic vitality, employment, and aes - thetic enjoyment.

There is no comparable Federal regulation or statute. Board staff conducted an evaluation on wheth - er the proposed action is inconsistent or incompati - ble with existing State regulations pursuant to GOV § 11346.5(a) (3) (D). State regulations related to the proposed action were, in fact, relied upon in the de - velopment of the proposed action to ensure the con - sistency and compatibility of the proposed action with existing State regulations.

Otherwise, Board staff evaluated the balance of ex - isting State regulations related to measures concern - ing the requirements for timber operations within State regulations that met the same purpose as the pro- posed action. Based on this evaluation and effort, the Board has determined that the proposed regulations are neither inconsistent nor incompatible with existing State regulations. The proposed regulation is entirely consistent and compatible with existing Board rules. Statute to which the proposed action was compared:

Chapter 8,

Part 2, Division 4, Public Resources Code. Regulations to which the proposed action was com- pared:

Article 4, Subchapters 1, 4, 5, 6, & 7

Chapter 4, Division 1.5, Title 14, California Code of Regulations. MANDATED BY FEDERAL LAW OR REGULATIONS The proposed action is not mandated by Federal law or regulations. The proposed action neither conflicts with, nor du - plicates, Federal regulations. There are no comparable Federal regulations con - cerning timber production on private timberland. No existing Federal regulations meeting the same pur - pose as the proposed action were identified.

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 884 OTHER STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS (PURSUANT TO GOV § 11346.5(A) (4)) There are no other matters as are prescribed by stat- ute applicable to the specific State agency or to any specific regulation or class of regulations. LOCAL MANDATE (PURSUANT TO GOV § 11346.5(A) (5)). The proposed action does not impose a mandate on local agencies or school districts. FISCAL IMPACT (PURSUANT TO GOV § 11346.5(A) (6)) There is no cost to any local agency or school dis - trict that is required to be reimbursed under

Part 7 (commencing with

Section 17500) of Division 4 of the Government Code. A local agency or school district has the authority to levy service charges, fees, or assessments sufficient to pay for the program or level of service mandated by the act, within the meaning of

Section 17556 of the Government Code. The proposed action will not result in the imposi - tion of other non–discretionary costs or savings to lo - cal agencies. The proposed action will not result in costs or sav - ings in Federal funding to the State. The proposed action will not result in costs to any State agency. The proposed action represents a con - tinuation of existing forest practice regulations related to the conduct of timber operations and will not result in any direct or indirect costs or savings to any state agency.

HOUSING COSTS (PURSUANT TO GOV § 11346.5(A) (12)) The proposed action will not significantly affect housing costs. SIGNIFICANT STATEWIDE ADVERSE ECONOMIC IMPACT DIRECTLY AFFECTING BUSINESS, INCLUDING ABILITY TO COMPETE (PURSUANT TO GOV §§ 11346.3(A), 11346.5(A)

(7) AND 11346.5(A) (8)) The proposed action will not have a significant statewide adverse economic impact directly affecting business, including the ability of California businesses to compete with businesses in other states (by making it costlier to produce goods or services in California). FACTS, EVIDENCE, DOCUMENTS, TESTIMONY, OR OTHER EVIDENCE RELIED UPON TO SUPPORT INITIAL DETERMINATION IN THE NOTICE THAT THE PROPOSED ACTION WILL NOT HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE ECONOMIC IMPACT ON BUSINESS (PURSUANT TO GOV § 11346.2(B)

(5) AND GOV § 11346.5(A) (8)) Contemplation by the Board of the economic impact of the provisions of the proposed action through the lens of the decades of contemplating forest practice in California that the Board brings to bear on regulatory development. STATEMENTS OF THE RESULTS OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) The results of the economic impact assessment are provided below pursuant to GOV § 11346.5(a) (10) and prepared pursuant to GOV § 11346.3(b) (1) (A)– (D).

The proposed action: ● Will not create jobs within California (GOV § 11346.3(b) (1) (A)); ● Will not eliminate jobs within California (GOV § 11346.3(b) (1) (A)); ● Will not create new businesses (GOV § 11346.3(b) (1) (B)); ● Will not eliminate existing businesses within California (GOV § 11346.3(b) (1) (B)); ● Will not affect the expansion or contraction of businesses currently doing business within Cal - ifornia (GOV § 11346.3(b) (1) (C)); ● Will yield nonmonetary benefits (GOV § 11346.3(b) (1) (D)).

The proposed action would result in increased clarity and efficacy in the For- est Practice Rules, and as a result, promote more efficient implementation and enforcement of the regulations. The proposed action will benefit the environment by creating more resilient pine stands in fire prone areas, minimizing high–severity wildfire impacts, yielding non–monetary bene - fits in accordance with GOV § 11346.3(b) (1) (D). There is no impact on the health and welfare of California residents or on worker safety.

COST IMPACTS ON REPRESENTATIVE PERSON OR BUSINESS (PURSUANT TO GOV § 11346.5(A) (9)) The agency is not aware of any cost impacts that a representative private person or business would nec -

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 885 essarily incur in reasonable compliance with the pro - posed action. No adverse impacts are to be expected. BUSINESS REPORT (PURSUANT TO GOV §§ 11346.5(A)

(11) AND 11346.3(D)) The proposed action does not impose a business re - porting requirement. SMALL BUSINESS (DEFINED IN GOV 11342.610) The proposed regulation may affect small business, though small businesses, within the meaning of GOV § 11342.610, are not expected to be significantly affect- ed by the proposed action. Small business, pursuant to 1 CCR § 4(a):

(1) Is legally required to comply with the regulation;

(2) Is not legally required to enforce the regulation;

(3) Does not derive a benefit from the enforcement of the regulation;

(4) May incur a detriment from the enforcement of the regulation if they do not comply with the regulation.

ALTERNATIVES INFORMATION In accordance with GOV § 11346.5(a) (13), the Board must determine that no reasonable alternative it considers, or that has otherwise been identified and brought to the attention of the Board, would be more effective in carrying out the purpose for which the ac- tion is proposed, or would be as effective and less bur- densome to affected private persons than the proposed action, or would be more cost–effective to affected pri- vate persons and equally effective in implementing the statutory policy or other provision of law.

CONTACT PERSON Requests for copies of the proposed text of the regu- lations, the Initial Statement of Reasons, modified text of the regulations and any questions regarding the sub- stance of the proposed action may be directed to: Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Attention: Jane Van Susteren Regulations Coordinator P.O. Box 944246 Sacramento, CA 94244–2460 Telephone: (916) 653–8007 The designated backup person in the event Ms. Van Susteren is not available is Andrew Lawhorn, of the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. Mr. Lawhorn may be contacted at the above address or phone.

AVAILABILITY STATEMENTS (PURSUANT TO GOV § 11346.5(A) (16), (18)) All of the following are available from the contact person: 1. Express terms of the proposed action using UNDERLINE to indicate an addition to the California Code of Regulations and STRIKE- THROUGH to indicate a deletion. 2.

Initial Statement of Reasons, which includes a statement of the specific purpose of each adop - tion, amendment, or repeal, the problem the Board is addressing, and the rationale for the determination by the Board that each adoption, amendment, or repeal is reasonably necessary to carry out the purpose and address the problem for which it is proposed. 3. The information upon which the proposed action is based (pursuant to GOV § 11346.5(b)). 4. Changed or modified text.

After holding the hearing and considering all timely and relevant comments received, the Board may adopt the proposed regulations substantially as described in this notice. If the Board makes modifications which are sufficiently related to the originally pro- posed text, it will make the modified text — with the changes clearly indicated — available to the public for at least 15 days before the Board adopts the regulations as revised.

Notice of the comment period on changed regulations, and the full text as modified, will be sent to any person who testi- fied at the hearings, submitted comments during the public comment period, including written and oral comments received at the public hearing, or requested notification of the availability of such changes from the Board of Forestry and Fire Pro- tection. The Board will accept written comments on the modified regulations for 15 days after the date on which they are made available.

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 886 TITLE 14. B OARD OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION POINTS OF LIGHT 1: MINOR RULE UPDATES FOR CLARITY AND CONSISTENCY 2025 NATURE OF PROCEEDING Notice is hereby given that the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Board) is pro - posing to take the action described in the Informative Digest. PUBLIC HEARING The Board will hold a public hearing on August 26, 2026, at a meeting commencing at 10:00 a.m., in the Natural Resources Building, Room 2–201, 715 P Street, Sacramento, CA.

At the hearing, any person may present statements or arguments, orally or in writing, relevant to the proposed action. The Board re- quests, but does not require, that persons who make oral comments at the hearing also submit a written

summary of their statements. Additionally, pursuant to Government Code (GOV) § 1 1125.1(b), writings that are public records pursuant to GOV § 1 1125.1(

A link to the meeting will also be posted under the “Webinar Infor- mation” heading on the front page of the Board web - site, no later than 8:00 a.m. the morning of the hearing. WRITTEN COMMENT PERIOD Any person, or authorized representative, may sub - mit written comments relevant to the proposed regu- latory action to the Board The written comments must be received by the Board via mail, facsimile, or hand delivery no later than 5:00 p.m. August 26, 2026.

Written comments may be delivered via email at the following address: 1 Points of Light is a historical Board term for minor clean–up rulemakings, such as the one being proposed here, which updates references, clarifies the use of terms, and makes updates for new names. PublicComments@BOF.ca.gov Written comments may be submitted via U.S. Mail to the following address: Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Attention: Jane Van Susteren Regulations Coordinator P.O.

Box 944246 Sacramento, CA 94244–2460 Written comments can also be hand delivered to the contact person listed in this notice at the following address: Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 715 P Street Sacramento, CA 95814 AUTHORITY AND REFERENCE (PURSUANT TO GOV § 1 1346.5(A)

(2) AND 1 CCR § 14) Authority cited: Sections 4551, 4551.5, 4551.7, 4552, 4553, 4561, 4561.5, 4562, 4562.5, 4562.7, 4581, 4584.1, 4591.1, 4593.3, 4604, 4611, and 4628 Public Resourc- es Code. Reference: Sections 4511, 4512, 4512.5, 4513, 4521.3, 4523, 4524, 4525, 4525.3, 4525.5, 4525.7, 4526, 4526.5, 4527, 4527.5, 4528, 4551, 4551.5, 4561, 4562, 4562.5, 4562.7, 4582, 4582(f), 4583, 4583.2, 4584, 4591.1, 4593, 4593.3, 4597, 4597.1, 4597.2, 4628, 21000(g), 21001(f), 21002, 21060.5, 21080.5, 21083.2, 21083.2(b) (3) and 21084.1, Public Resources Code; CEQA Guidelines Appendix K (printed following

Section 15387 of Title 14 Cal. Code of Regulations), Laupheimer v. State (1988) 200 Cal.App.3d 440; 246 Cal. Rptr. 82; and Joy Road Area Forest and Watershed Association v. California Department of Forestry & Fire Protec - tion, Sonoma County Superior Court Number SCV 229850.

INFORMATIVE DIGEST/POLICY STATEMENT OVERVIEW (PURSUANT TO 11346.5(A) (3) (A)–(D)) Pursuant to the Z’berg–Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973, Public Resourced Code (PRC) § 4 511, et seq. (Act) the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Board) is authorized to construct a system of forest practice regulations applicable to timber management on state and private timberlands.

PRC § 4 551 requires the Board to “…adopt district forest practice rules… to ensure the continuous grow- ing and harvesting of commercial forest tree species and to protect the soil, air, fish, wildlife, and water re- sources…” and PRC § 4 553 requires the Board to con-

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 887 tinuously review the rules in consultation with other interests and make appropriate revisions. PRC § 4582(

f) requires the disclosure of special pro- visions to protect unique areas within the area of Tim- ber Operations. The proposed amendments to archae - ological training requirements in 14 CCR § 929.4 en- sure that personnel are adequately equipped to identi - fy and protect these unique cultural resources.

PRC § 4593 and § 4597 necessitates standardized mapping and administrative requirements across var - ious permit types, consistent with the Board’s author - ity to regulate Nonindustrial Timber Management Plans (PRC § 4593 et seq.) and Working Forest Man- agement Plans (PRC § 4597 et seq.) PRC § 21080.5 puts forward the Board’s rulemaking process as a certified regulatory program pursuant to PRC § 21080.5, and the proposed amendments have been developed to ensure continued compliance with the substantive requirements of the California Envi - ronmental Quality Act (CEQA).

This rule package addresses several inconsistencies in the rules that do not meet the standards for a

Section 100 rulemaking, but are limited enough in scope that they have minimal impact on other parts of the Rules. The amendment to 14 CCR § 895.1 regarding wild- life terminology is necessary to resolve a significant conflict between Board regulations and the Califor - nia Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Cur - rently, the use the term “Species of Special Concern” in the Forest Practice Rules (Rules) is an undefined term that is equivalent to “Sensitive Species pursuant to 14 CCR § 895.1.

Additionally, the term “Species of Special Concern” overlaps with a category managed by CDFW, which creates confusion for the regulated public and Department staff during the preparation and review of timber harvesting documents. The term “Species of Special Concern” is replaced with “Sensi- tive Species pursuant to 14 CCR § 895.1”, but the pro- tections of the Board’s Sensitive Species are extended to those species of bird listed under state or federal En- dangered Species Acts as well through the use of the existing term “Listed Species”.

This change provides a clear and consistent regulatory framework that avoids inter–agency terminology conflicts while maintain - ing robust protections for at–risk wildlife. In 2023, the American Ornithological Society divided the previ - ous taxon of “Northern Goshawk” into Eurasian and North American species. The new taxon, the “Ameri - can Goshawk”, encompasses all birds within Califor - nia previously included under the name “American Goshawk”.

In alignment with PRC § 4582(f), which requires special provisions for the protection of unique ar - eas, the establishment of an archaeological refresher course is necessary to provide an efficient administra- tive pathway for certification renewal. Existing rules require a five–year certification cycle but do not pro - vide a mechanism for potential drift between dates when the course is offered, potentially resulting in the expiration of ability to perform archaeological surveys and creating a necessity to repeat the full introductory training.

Finally, the standardization of mapping require - ments for main ridge tops suitable for fire suppression across Timber Harvest Plans (THP), Non–industrial Timber Harvest Plans (NTMP), and Working Forest Management Plans (WFMP) permit types is neces - sary for unified fire safety planning. Pursuant to the Board’s authority to regulate these long–term man - agement plans under PRC § 4593 and § 4597, consis- tent mapping is required to ensure that CAL FIRE has access to the critical spatial data needed for suppres - sion efforts regardless of the specific permit type gov- erning the land.

Similarly, clarifying that conversion exemptions are synonymous with “Plans” for opera - tional purposes and is necessary to ensure that all land management activities meet a uniform standard of re - source protection to allow for consistent enforcement by the Department. The Rules currently only require the mapping of these ridgelines if they would require the felling of snags during fire suppression efforts.

The problems are that the Rules currently use the term “Species of Special Concern,” as a term equiva - lent to “Sensitive Species pursuant to 14 CCR § 895.1” which conflicts with a specific legal definition used by CDFW for a different category of at–risk species. This creates regulatory uncertainty for the regulated public. The definition of “Danger Tree” currently references a 1977 field guide that has been superseded by the 2021 California Power Line Fire Prevention Field Guide.

There is currently no explicit provision for variation in the ability to take a refresher course during the year where five–year certifications expire. Requirements for mapping main ridge tops suitable for fire suppres - sion for THP, NTMP, and WFMP are technically only required if fire suppression on that ridge will require the felling of snags. The purpose of this rulemaking is to align Board

definitions with current state and federal standards while updating outdated technical citations to reflect modern field guidelines. It seeks to provide clear ad - ministrative pathways for professional certification re- newal and ensure clear mapping requirements across all types of harvesting permits. Additionally, the action aims to resolve specific terminological inconsistencies with the CDFW to provide a unified and predictable regulatory framework for the regulated public. The effect of the proposed action will standardize wildlife protection terminology and reflect an updated species name.

It modernizes safety protocols by up - dating the “Danger Tree” definition to current tech - nical standards and defining which ridges should be

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 888 mapped for fire suppression efforts. Furthermore, it provides clarity on expiration timelines for archaeo - logical training. The benefit of the amended language will increase the clarity and consistency of the Rules, promote more efficient implementation, and ensure that the regulated public can continue to use effective tools for managing at–risk wildlife species. Board staff conducted an evaluation on wheth - er the proposed action is inconsistent or incompati - ble with existing State regulations pursuant to GOV § 11346.5(a) (3) (D).

State regulations related to the proposed action were, in fact, relied upon in the de - velopment of the proposed action to ensure the con - sistency and compatibility of the proposed action with existing State regulations. Otherwise, Board staff evaluated the balance of ex - isting State regulations related to measures concern - ing the requirements for timber operations within State regulations that met the same purpose as the pro- posed action. Based on this evaluation and effort, the Board has determined that the proposed regulations are neither inconsistent nor incompatible with existing State regulations.

The proposed regulation is entirely consistent and compatible with existing Board rules. Statute to which the proposed action was compared:

Chapter 8,

Part 2, Division 4, Public Resources Code. Regulations to which the proposed action was com- pared:

Article 4, Subchapters 1, 4, 5, 6, & 7

Chapter 4, Division 1.5, Title 14, California Code of Regulations. MANDATED BY FEDERAL LAW OR REGULATIONS The proposed action is not mandated by federal law or regulations. The proposed action neither conflicts with, nor du - plicates Federal regulations. There are no comparable Federal regulations con - cerning timber production on private timberland. No existing Federal regulations meeting the same pur - pose as the proposed action were identified.

OTHER STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS (PURSUANT TO GOV § 11346.5(A) (4)) There are no other matters as are prescribed by stat- ute applicable to the specific State agency or to any specific regulation or class of regulations. LOCAL MANDATE (PURSUANT TO GOV § 11346.5(A) (5)). The proposed action does not impose a mandate on local agencies or school districts. FISCAL IMPACT (PURSUANT TO GOV § 11346.5(A) (6)) There is no cost to any local agency or school dis - trict that is required to be reimbursed under

Part 7 (commencing with

(5) AND GOV § 11346.5(A) (8)) Contemplation by the Board of the economic impact of the provisions of the proposed action through the

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 889 lens of the decades of contemplating forest practice in California that the Board brings to bear on regulatory development. STATEMENTS OF THE RESULTS OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) The results of the economic impact assessment are provided below pursuant to GOV § 11346.5(a) (10) and prepared pursuant to GOV § 11346.3(b) (1) (A)– (D).

The proposed action would result in increased clarity and efficacy in the For- est Practice Rules, and as a result, promote more efficient implementation, yielding non–monetary environmental benefits in accordance with GOV § 11346.3(b) (1) (D). There is no impact on the health and welfare of California residents or on worker safety. COST IMPACTS ON REPRESENTATIVE PERSON OR BUSINESS (PURSUANT TO GOV § 11346.5(A) (9)) The agency is not aware of any cost impacts that a representative private person or business would nec - essarily incur in reasonable compliance with the pro - posed action.

No adverse impacts are to be expected. BUSINESS REPORT (PURSUANT TO GOV §§ 11346.5(A)

(11) AND 11346.3(D)) The proposed action does not impose a business re - porting requirement. SMALL BUSINESS (PURSUANT TO 1 CCR 4(

A) AND (B)) The proposed regulation may affect small business, though small businesses, within the meaning of GOV § 11342.610, are not expected to be significantly affect- ed by the proposed action. Small business, pursuant to 1 CCR § 4(a):

(1) Is legally required to comply with the regulation;

(2) Is not legally required to enforce the regulation;

(3) Does not derive a benefit from the enforcement of the regulation;

(4) May incur a detriment from the enforcement of the regulation if they do not comply with the regulation.

CONTACT PERSON Requests for copies of the proposed text of the regu- lations, the Initial Statement of Reasons, modified text of the regulations and any questions regarding the sub- stance of the proposed action may be directed to: Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Attention: Jane Van Susteren Regulations Coordinator P.O. Box 944246 Sacramento, CA 94244–2460 Telephone: (916) 653–8007 The designated backup person in the event Ms. Van Susteren is not available is Mr. Andrew Lawhorn of the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. Mr. Law - horn may be contacted at the above address or by phone.

AVAILABILITY STATEMENTS (PURSUANT TO GOV § 11346.5(A) (16)) All of the following are available from the contact person: 1. Express terms of the proposed action using UNDERLINE to indicate an addition to the California Code of Regulations and STRIKE- THROUGH to indicate a deletion. 2. Initial Statement of Reasons, which includes a statement of the specific purpose of each adop - tion, amendment, or repeal, the problem the Board is addressing, and the rationale for the determination by the Board that each adoption, amendment, or repeal is reasonably necessary to

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 890 carry out the purpose and address the problem for which it is proposed. 3. The information upon which the proposed action is based (pursuant to GOV § 11346.5(b)). 4. Changed or modified text. After holding the hearing and considering all timely and relevant comments received, the Board may adopt the proposed regulations substantially as described in this notice.

If the Board makes modifications which are sufficiently related to the originally pro- posed text, it will make the modified text — with the changes clearly indicated — available to the public for at least 15 days before the Board adopts the regulations as revised.

BOARD OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION NOTICING PROCESSES AND RULES SPECIFIC TO THE SOUTHERN SUBDISTRICT AND SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, 2026 NATURE OF PROCEEDING Notice is hereby given that the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Board) is pro - posing to take the action described in the Informative Digest. PUBLIC HEARING The Board will hold a public hearing on August 26, 2026, at a meeting commencing at 9:30 a.m., in the Natural Resources Building, Room 2–201, 715 P Street, Sacramento, CA.

summary of their statements. Additionally, pursuant to Government Code (GOV) § 11125.1(b), writings that are public records pursuant to GOV § 11125.1(

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 891 AUTHORITY AND REFERENCE (PURSUANT TO GOV § 11346.5(A)

(2) AND 1 CCR § 14) Authority cited: Stats. 1989, Ch. 1290,

Section 13 and Sections 4516.5, 4551, 4551.5, 4552, 4553, 4561.1 and 4562.5, 4581, 4582.3, 4593.4 and 21092 Public Re- sources Code. Reference: Sections 4516.5, 4551, 4551.5, 4561, 4561.1, 4562.5 and 4562.7, 4581, 4582.3, 4593, 4593.4, 4597.2, 4597.3, 21080 and 210928 Public Resources Code.

INFORMATIVE DIGEST/POLICY STATEMENT OVERVIEW (PURSUANT TO GOV 11346.5(A) (3) (A)–(D)) Pursuant to the Z’berg–Nejedly Forest Practice Act (Act) of 1973, Public Resources Code (PRC) § 4511, et seq. (Act) the State Board of Forestry and Fire Pro- tection (Board) is authorized to construct a system of forest practice regulations applicable to timber man - agement on state and private timberlands.

PRC § 4551.5 requires that the rules and regulations adopted by the Board apply to the conduct of Timber Operations, which is defined within PRC § 4527(a) (1) as “the cutting or removal, or both, of timber or other solid wood forest products, including Christmas trees, from Timberlands for commercial purposes, together with all the incidental work, including, but not limited to, construction and maintenance of roads, fuelbreaks, firebreaks, stream crossings, landings, skid trails, and beds for the falling of trees, fire hazard abatement, and site preparation that involves disturbance of soil or burning of vegetation following timber harvest - ing activities, but excluding preparatory work such as treemarking, surveying, or roadflagging.” The term “commercial purposes”, as used within PRC § 4527 is defined by reference to an illustrative, non–exhaustive list of activities within PRC § 4527(a) (2) that include “(

A) the cutting or removal of trees that are processed into logs, lumber, or other wood products and offered for sale, barter, exchange, or trade, or (

B) the cutting or removal of trees or other forest products during the conversion of timberlands to land uses other than the growing of timber that are subject to

Section 4621, in- cluding, but not limited to, residential or commercial developments, production of other agricultural crops, recreational developments, ski developments, water development projects, and transportation projects.” Additionally, the Act defines “Timberland” within PRC § 4526 as “land, other than land owned by the federal government and land designated by the board as experimental forest land, which is available for, and capable of, growing a crop of trees of a commercial species used to produce lumber and other forest prod - ucts, including Christmas trees.” The Act recognizes that the “forest resources and timberlands of the state are among the most valuable of the natural resourc - es of the state”, and that “it is the policy of this state to encourage prudent and responsible forest resource management…” (PRC § 4512).

Under PRC § 4516.5, “Individual counties may rec- ommend that the board adopt additional Rules and regulations for the content of timber harvesting plans and the conduct of timber operations to take account of local needs.” The Board shall adopt Rules and reg - ulations for the conduct of timber operations consis - tent with the recommendation if the Board finds the recommended Rules and regulations are both consis - tent with the intent and purposes of the Act and nec - essary to protect needs and conditions of the county recommending them.

These Rules and regulations ap- ply only to the conduct of timber operations within the recommending county and shall be enforced and implemented by the Department in the same manner as other Rules and regulations adopted by the Board. During the 2024 Call for Regulatory Review, CAL FIRE Forest Practice (the Department) requested discussion of the use of the undefined term “Plan area” and potential confusion that arose from the use of that term. Department review and Board discussion indi - cated that most substantiative impacts of this lack of clarity were specific to the noticing process.

The Board also received a letter from the Board of Supervisors for the County of Santa Cruz (County) during the 2024 call for regulatory review. The letter requested Board consideration of several issues and provided specific requests pursuant to PRC § 4516.5. The first request concerned updating the property owners as determined by a equalized assessment roll or title insurance company requirement to specify that only the equalized assessment roll would be accept - ed. The letter also included a request that publication of a Notice of Intent in a newspaper of general cir - culation under PRC § 21092(b) (3) (

A) be permitted to occur “prior to” submission of the notice, instead of “concurrently with” submission of the notice to clarify questions concerning the definition of “concurrently”. In addition, it asked that the Special Harvesting Meth- ods for Santa Cruz County (14 CCR §925.25(a) (3)) strike the limitations on harvesting 14–inch to 18–inch diameter trees and allow the use of existing special prescriptions for timber harvest plans. These

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 892 special prescriptions include options for creating fuel breaks or defensible space, and for restoring mead - ows, wet areas, aspen groves, and oak woodlands. The County noted that the request was intended to manage the high density of small–diameter trees in the region, limit wildfire hazard, and allow ecological restoration of ecosystems that are being overgrown due to a lack of proscribed fire or other ecosystem management.

The County also made suggestions for the rules for the Southern Subdistrict, a group of counties that includes Santa Cruz County. These suggestions in - clude changes to the Special Harvesting Methods for the Southern Subdistrict under 14 CCR § 913.8 to al- low the use of the same special prescriptions under 14 CCR § 913.4 for creating fuel breaks or defensi - ble space, and for restoring meadows, wet areas, aspen groves, and oak woodlands.

Special Treatment Areas are defined under 14 CCR § 895.1 as specific locations which contain one or more of the following significant resource features which may be at risk during Timber Operations: areas that are within two hundred feet of the watercourse transition line of federal or state designated Wild and Scenic Rivers; areas that are within two hundred feet of national, state, regional, county or municipal park boundaries; areas that are key habitat areas of federal or state designated threatened, rare or endangered spe- cies; Coastal Commission Special Treatment Areas; and areas that are within two hundred feet of state des- ignated Scenic Highways or within scenic corridors established pursuant to

Article 2.5 (commencing with

Section 260) of

Chapter 2 of Division 1 and

Section 154 of Chap. 1 of Div. 1 of the Streets and Highways Code. Under the requirements of 14 CCR § 913.4(

a) a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) acting as the Plan submitter and a representative of the Director of the Department may, after on–the–ground consulta - tion that includes all affected agencies and groups with relevant expertise, agree to a regeneration method or intermediate treatment compatible with the objectives for which the Special Treatment Area was established.

The problems are that the Southern Subdistrict and county–specific Rules do not incorporate more re - cent forest management methods, that other aspects of those Rules are not in alignment with current plan submission and review requirements, that newspaper notification requirements need clarity on publication dates and that there is insufficient clarity in the notic - ing processes about the definition for “Plan area”.

The purpose of the proposed action is to update the Southern Subdistrict rules, to respond to the requests of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, and to provide clarity on the footprint where the Notice of Intent rules apply. The effect of the proposed action is to make addi - tional land use planning options for ecological resto - ration and fire resilience available within the South - ern Subdistrict, incorporate the requests of the Coun - ty into the Rules, and to provide clarity on where the Notice of Intent rules apply.

The benefits of the proposed action will include en- vironmental benefits due to wider availability of eco - logical restoration prescriptions, as well as the main - tenance of a comprehensive regulatory scheme which allows for the clear and consistent application and en- forcement of the Rules. Otherwise, Board staff evaluated the balance of ex - isting State regulations related to measures concern - ing public notice of timber operations within State regulations that met the same purpose as the proposed action.

Based on this evaluation and effort, the Board has determined that the proposed regulations are nei - ther inconsistent nor incompatible with existing State regulations. The proposed regulation is entirely con - sistent and compatible with existing Board rules. Statute to which the proposed action was compared:

Chapter 8,

Part 2, Division 4, Public Resources Code. Regulations to which the proposed action was com- pared:

Article 4, Subchapters 1, 4, 5, 6, & 7

OTHER STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS (PURSUANT TO GOV § 11346.5(A) (4)) There are no other matters as are prescribed by stat- ute applicable to the specific State agency or to any specific regulation or class of regulations. LOCAL MANDATE (PURSUANT TO GOV § 11346.5(A) (5)) The proposed action does not impose a mandate on local agencies or school districts. FISCAL IMPACT (PURSUANT TO GOV § 11346.5(A) (6)) There is no cost to any local agency or school dis - trict that is required to be reimbursed under

Part 7

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 893 (commencing with

The proposed action will benefit the environment due to wider availabil - ity of ecological restoration prescriptions, and the maintenance of a comprehensive regulatory scheme which allows for the clear and consistent application and enforcement of the Rules, yield - ing non–monetary benefits in accordance with GOV § 11346.3(b) (1) (D). There is no impact on the health and welfare of California residents or on worker safety.

COST IMPACTS ON REPRESENTATIVE PERSON OR BUSINESS (PURSUANT TO GOV § 11346.5(A) (9)) The agency is not aware of any cost impacts that a representative private person or business would nec - essarily incur in reasonable compliance with the pro - posed action. No adverse impacts are to be expected. BUSINESS REPORT (PURSUANT TO GOV §§ 11346.5(A)

(1) Is legally required to comply with the regulation;

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 894

(2) Is not legally required to enforce the regulation;

(3) Does not derive a benefit from the enforcement of the regulation;

(4) May incur a detriment from the enforcement of the regulation if they do not comply with the regulation.

FINAL STATEMENT OF REASONS When the Final Statement of Reasons (FSOR) has been prepared, the FSOR will be available from the contact person on request. INTERNET ACCESS All of the material referenced in the Availabili - ty Statements is also available on the Board web site at: https://bof.fire.ca.gov/regulations-and-policies/ proposed-rule-packages. TITLE 15. CORRECTIONAL TRAINING AND REHABILITATION AUTHORITY AMEND THE CONFLICT–OF–INTEREST CODE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the California Correctional Training and Rehabilitation Authority , pursuant to the authority vested in it by

section 87306 of the Government Code, proposes amendment to its conflict–of–interest code. A comment period has been established commencing on July 10, 2026 and closing on August 26, 2026. All inquiries should be directed to the contact listed below. The California Correctional Training and Rehabil - itation Authority (CALCTRA)proposes to amend its conflict–of–interest code to include employee posi - tions that involve the making or participation in the

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 895 making of decisions that may foreseeably have a mate- rial effect on any financial interest, as set forth in sub- division (

a) of

section 87302 of the Government Code. The amendment carries out the purposes of the law and no other alternative would do so and be less bur - densome to affected persons. Changes to the conflict–of–interest code includes adopting, amending, and repealing CALCTRA titles and positions; adopting new division names and reor - ganizing titles and positions; revising disclosure cate - gories and other technical changes. The proposed amendment and explanation of the reasons can be obtained from the agency’s contact list- ed below.

Any interested person may submit written com - ments relating to the proposed amendment by submit- ting them no later than August 26, 2026, or at the con- clusion of the public hearing, if requested, whichever comes later. At this time, no public hearing is sched - uled. Hearings must be requested no later than August 11, 2026. The California Correctional Training and Rehabil - itation Authority has determined that the proposed amendments: 1. Impose no mandate on local agencies or school districts. 2. Impose no costs or savings on any state agency. 3.

Impose no costs on any local agency or school district that are required to be reimbursed under

Part 7 (commencing with

Section 17500) of Divi- sion 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code. 4. Will not result in any nondiscretionary costs or savings to local agencies. 5. Will not result in any costs or savings in federal funding to the state. 6. Will not have any potential cost impact on private persons, businesses or small businesses. All inquiries concerning this proposed amendment and any communication required by this notice should be directed to: Kelly Mortenson Regulations Manager Kelly.mortenson@calctra.ca.gov (916) 413–1140 TITLE 16.

BOARD OF REGISTERED NURSING NURSE PRACTITIONER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Registered Nursing (Board) is proposing to take the action described in the Informative Digest below, after considering all comments, objections, and recommen- dations regarding the proposed action. PUBLIC HEARING The Board has not scheduled a public hearing on this proposed action. However, the Board will hold a hearing if it receives a written request for a public hearing from any interested person, or his or her au - thorized representative, no later than 15 days prior to the close of the written comment period.

A hearing may be requested by making such request in writing addressed to the individuals listed under “Contact Per- son” in this notice. WRITTEN COMMENT PERIOD Written comments relevant to the action proposed, including those sent by mail, facsimile, or email to the addresses listed under “Contact Person” in this Notice, must be received by the Board at its office no later than Tuesday August 25, 2026 or must be received by the Board at the hearing, should one be scheduled. AUTHORITY AND REFERENCE Pursuant to the authority vested by

Section 2715 of the Business and Professions Code (BPC), and to implement, interpret, or make specific BPC sections 2837.101, 2837.103, 2837.104, and 2837.105 the Board is considering amending sections 1481, 1482, 1482.3, 1482.4 and 1487 of

Article 8, Division 14 of Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR). INFORMATIVE DIGEST/POLICY STATEMENT OVERVIEW A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse (RN) that has additionally earned a postgraduate nursing degree, such as a Master’s or Doctorate degree and obtained a certificate from the Board.

They are bound by an ethical code of conduct, a complex network of overlapping regulations tied to their specific practice facility, and licensure and professional certification standards requiring these professionals to achieve and maintain a minimum level of competency promoting quality of care and patient safety. In September 2020, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 890 (Wood,

Chapter 265, Statutes of 2020) into law which created two new categories of Nurse Practitioners (NPs) who could work within a defined scope of practice without standardized pro - cedures. In this document, the Board refers to these new categories as 103 NPs (as outlined in BPC sec - tion 2837.103) and 104 NPs (as outlined in BPC

section 2837.104).

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 896 The bill also defined the education, training, nation- al certification, and medical staff governance require - ments for these two NP categories. These provisions were codified in Board regulations under Title 16 Cali- fornia Code of Regulations (CCR)

Section 1481, 1482, 1482.3, 1482.4, and 1487. In September 2024, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 1451 (Ashby,

Chapter 481, Statutes of 2024) into law which was a policy omnibus bill that impacted a variety of different boards and bureaus un- der the Department of Consumer Affairs. This includ- ed updating key provisions of AB 890, such as 103 NP eligibility criteria and consumer notification re - quirements. Consequently, Board regulations need to also be updated to conform with statute. This regula - tory package also includes several additional clean up amendments related to nurse practitioners. The draft proposed text would make the following changes: Amend 1481.

Categories and Scope of Practice of Nurse Practitioners ● Specify that 103 and 104 NPs can be nationally certified in a population focus category whose exam was retired before January 1, 2017. ● Clarify that 104 NPs may perform the functions listed in BPC

Section 2387.104(

b) in addition to BPC

Section 2387.104(c). Amend 1482. Requirements for Certification as a Nurse Practitioner ● Remove reference to the nurse practitioner cer - tification equivalency option (Method 3) due to statutory, regulatory and organizational updates, as well as national licensing standards. ● Clarify that nurse practitioners who are not cer - tified as a 103 NP or 104 NP are still required to work under standardized procedures. Amend 1482.3. Requirements for a Nurse Practitioner Certification Pursuant to Business and Professions Code

Section 2837.103 ● Remove the requirement for an applicant’s transi- tion to practice hours, national certification, and 103 NP certification to all be in the same category. ● Remove the requirement for the healthcare pro - vider attesting to a 103 NP applicant’s completion of transition to practice hours to specialize in the same category as the 103 NP applicant. ● Clarify that maintenance of an active national certification in a population focus category is re - quired to continue working as a 103 NP. ● Clarify that the term 103 NP can be used to col - loquially identify a nurse practitioner practicing pursuant to

Section 2837.103 of the code. Amend 1482.4. Requirements for a Nurse Practitioner Certification Pursuant to Business and Professions Code

Section 2837.104 ● Remove the requirement for a 104 NP applicant to re–submit national certification and transition to practice information. ● Add the requirement for a 104 NP applicant to submit proof of certification by the Board as a 103 N P. ● Clarify the documentation a 104 NP applicant needs to complete to apply the direct patient care hours they obtained as part of a Doctor of Nurs - ing Practice program towards the requirement for them to work as a 103 NP for 4600 hours. ● Clarify that 104 NPs must maintain an active national certification in a population focus cate - gory that aligns with their 104 NP certification category. ● Clarify that the term 104 NP can be used to col - loquially identify a nurse practitioner practicing pursuant to

Section 2837.104 of the code. Amend 1487.

Notice to Consumers ● Clarify that the consumer notification provisions are only mandatory for 103 and 104 NPs. ● Remove the specification that a patient be noti - fied verbally that an NP is not a physician and surgeon. ● Remove the requirement to use specific terminol- ogy when identifying oneself as a nurse practi - tioner to Spanish language speakers. ● Remove the requirement for 103 NPs and 104 NPs to advise their patients that they have the right to see a physician and surgeon on request and the circumstances under which they must be referred to see a physician and surgeon.

Anticipated Benefits of Proposal The Board has determined that this regulatory pro - posal, which implements the provisions of SB 1451 will have the following benefits to the health and wel- fare of California residents: ● Remove potential barriers to certification as a 103 and 104 NP, helping allow more certified NPs to provide more patient care and work to the full ex- tent to their education and training. ● Increase access to health care and work to close the provider gap, especially in rural and under - served areas. This proposal does not impact worker safety or the state’s environment.

Evaluation of Consistency and Compatibility with Existing State Regulations During the process of developing this regulatory proposal, the Board conducted a search of any simi -

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 897 lar regulations on these topics and has concluded that these regulations are neither inconsistent nor incom - patible with existing state regulations. DISCLOSURES REGARDING THIS PROPOSED ACTION FISCAL IMPACT ESTIMATES The Board has made the following initial determinations: Fiscal Impact on Public Agencies Including Costs or Savings to State Agencies or Costs/Savings in Federal Funding to the State: None. The regulations do not result in a fiscal impact to the state.

There is no fiscal impact to the state in the form of federal funding or any cost or savings to any state agency. Any fiscal impacts are a result of current law. Nondiscretionary Costs/Savings to Local Agen - cies: None. Cost to any Local Agency or School District for which Government Code Sections 17500–17630 Re- quire Reimbursement: None. Mandate Imposed on Local Agencies or School Districts: None. Significant Effect on Housing Costs (and, if appli- cable, including any estimated costs of compliance or potential benefits of a building standard): None.

BUSINESS IMPACT ESTIMATES The Board has made the initial determination that the proposed regulatory action would have no signif - icant statewide adverse economic impact directly af - fecting business, including the ability of California businesses to compete with businesses in other states. This initial determination is based on the following facts: The proposed changes do not impose additional requirements or fees on California’s licensees or busi- nesses. Rather, the proposed text simplifies the appli - cation requirements for NPs that want to pursue certi - fication as a 103 and 104 NP.

The Board notes, any economic impacts to busi - ness are a result of SB 1451 and AB 890, and not the regulations. Cost Impact on Representative Private Person or Business: The Board is not aware of any cost impacts that a representative private person or business would nec - essarily incur in reasonable compliance with the pro - posed action. The proposed changes do not impose ad- ditional requirements or fees on California’s licensees or businesses. The Board notes, any economic impacts to individ - uals or business are a result of SB 1451 and AB 890, and not the regulations.

RESULTS OF ECONOMIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT/ANALYSIS Impact on Jobs/Businesses The Board has determined that this regulato - ry proposal will not have a significant impact on the following: ● Creation or elimination of jobs within the State of California. ● Creation of new businesses or elimination of ex - isting businesses within the State of California. ● Expansion of businesses currently doing business within the state. This proposal would not have any of the above–ref- erenced impacts as explained in the “Business Impact Estimates”

section of this notice. Benefits of Regulation The Board has determined that this regulatory pro - posal, which implements the provisions of SB 1451 and AB 890 will have the following benefits to the health and welfare of California residents, worker safety, and the state’s environment: ● Remove potential barriers to certification as a 103 and 104 NP. ● Allow more NPs to work to the full extent to their education and training. ● Increase access to health care and work to close the provider gap, especially in rural and under - served areas.

Business Reporting Requirements: The regulatory action does not require businesses to file a report with the Board of Registered Nursing. Effect On Small Business: The Board has determined that the proposed regu - lations may affect small businesses. Although small businesses owned by licensees of the Board may be impacted, the Board does not maintain data relating to the number or percentage of licensees who own a small business; therefore, the number or percentage of small businesses that may be impacted cannot be predicted.

The Board notes, any economic impacts to small businesses are a result of SB 1451 and AB 890, and not the regulations. CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVES In accordance with Government Code

section 11346.5, subdivision (a) (13), the Board must deter - mine that no reasonable alternative it considered to the regulation or that has otherwise been identified and

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 898 brought to its attention would be more effective in car- rying out the purpose for which the action is proposed; would be as effective and less burdensome to affected private persons than the proposal described in this No- tice; or would be more cost–effective to affected pri - vate persons and equally effective in implementing the statutory policy or other provision of law. Any interested person may submit comments to the Board in writing relevant to the above determinations at 1747 N.

Market Blvd, Suite 150 Sacramento, CA 95834 during the written comment period, or at the hearing if one is scheduled or requested. AVAILABILITY OF STATEMENT OF REASONS AND RULEMAKING FILE The Board has compiled a record for this regulatory action, which includes the Initial Statement of Rea - sons (ISOR), proposed regulatory text, and all the in - formation on which this proposal is based. This mate- rial is contained in the rulemaking file and is available for public inspection upon request to the contact per - sons named in this notice.

TEXT OF PROPOSAL Copies of the exact language of the proposed regu - lations, and any document incorporated by reference, and of the initial statement of reasons, and all of the information upon which the proposal is based, may be obtained upon request from the Board, at 1747 N. Market Blvd, Suite 150 Sacramento, CA 95834.

AVAILABILITY OF CHANGED OR MODIFIED TEXT After considering all timely and relevant comments, the Board, upon its own motion or at the request of any interested party, may thereafter adopt the proposals substantially as described below or may modify such proposals if such modifications are sufficiently related to the original text.

With the exception of technical or grammatical changes, the full text of any modified proposal, with the modifications clearly indicated, will be available for review and written comment for 15 days prior to its adoption from the persons designat - ed in this Notice as the Contact Persons and will be mailed to those persons who submit written comments or oral testimony related to this proposal or who have requested notification of any changes to the proposal.

AVAILABILITY AND LOCATION OF THE FINAL STATEMENT OF REASONS AND RULEMAKING FILE All the information upon which the proposed reg - ulations are based is contained in the rulemaking file which is available for public inspection by contacting the person named below. You may obtain a copy of the Final Statement of Reasons once it has been prepared by making a writ - ten request to the Contact Persons named below or by accessing the website listed below.

CONTACT PERSONS Inquiries or comments concerning the proposed rulemaking action may be addressed to: Name: Marissa Clark Address: Board of Registered Nursing 1747 North Market Blvd. Suite 150 Sacramento, CA 95834 Telephone Number: 916–574–7438 Fax Number: 916–574–7700 Email Address: brn.regulations@dca.ca.gov The backup contact person is: Name: Ras Siddiqui Address: Board of Registered Nursing 1747 North Market Blvd.

Suite 150 Sacramento, CA 95834 Telephone Number: 916–574–7922 Fax Number: 916–574–7700 Email Address: brn.regulations@dca.ca.gov AVAILABILITY OF DOCUMENTS ON THE INTERNET Copies of the Notice of Proposed Action, the Initial Statement of Reasons, and the text of the regulations with modifications noted, as well as the Final State - ment of Reasons when completed, and modified text, if any, can be accessed through the Board website at https://www.rn.ca.gov/regulations/proposed.shtml. TITLE 16.

BUREAU OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR AIRBAG SAFETY NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Bureau of Automotive Repair (Bureau) is proposing to take the rulemaking action described in the Informative Digest below, after considering all comments, objections, and recommendations regarding the proposed action.

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 899 PUBLIC HEARING The Bureau has not scheduled a public hearing on this proposed action. However, the Bureau will hold a hearing if it receives a written request for a public hearing from any interested person, or their autho - rized representative, no later than 15 days prior to the close of the written comment period. A hearing may be requested by making such request in writing ad - dressed to the individuals listed under “Contact Per - son” in this notice.

WRITTEN COMMENT PERIOD Written comments relevant to the action proposed, including those sent by mail, facsimile, or email to the addresses listed under “Contact Person” in this Notice, must be received by the Bureau at its office no later than Monday, August 24, 2026, or must be received by the Bureau at the hearing, should one be scheduled. AUTHORITY AND REFERENCE Pursuant to the authority vested by Business and Professions Code (BPC) sections 9882, 9884.19, and 9884.76 and Vehicle Code (VEH)

section 27317, to implement, interpret, and make specific BPC sections 490 and 9884.7 and VEH

section 27317, the Bureau proposes adopting the following changes to

section 3367 of Title 16, Division 33,

Chapter 1,

Article 8 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR). INFORMATIVE DIGEST/POLICY STATEMENT OVERVIEW The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), Bu - reau of Automotive Repair (Bureau or BAR) is the state agency charged with licensing automotive repair dealers (ARDs), Smog Check stations, STAR stations, brake and lamp stations, Vehicle Safety Systems In - spection Stations, and their respective inspectors, re - pair technicians, and adjusters. Pursuant to

Article 1 of

Chapter 20.3 of Division 3 of the BPC (commencing with

section 9880), the Bureau regulates automotive repair and has the authority to adopt, amend, and re - peal necessary rules and regulations. The Bureau regulates approximately 35,000 ARDs in the State of California. The Bureau ensures persons operating as ARDs are registered with the Bureau and comply with laws and regulations established to pro - tect consumers in repair transactions.

The mission of both DCA and the Bureau — and therefore the main purpose of any regulatory proposal — is consumer protection, which includes ensuring “all Californians are informed, empowered, and protected.” (DCA, About Us [as of May 2026].) The Bureau proposes amending existing regulations specific to airbag safety. These regulation changes are necessary to protect the public and ensure ARDs com- ply with consumer protection laws and regulations. The Bureau proposes amending

section 3367 of

Chapter 1 of Division 33 of Title 16 of the CCR to ex- pand airbag safety regulations to help protect Califor - nia consumers by ensuring ARDs ● Do not manufacture, import, install, reinstall, dis- tribute, sell, or offer for sale any airbags that meet the criteria specified in the regulation section, ● Restore airbags to the original operating condi - tion as designed by the original equipment man - ufacturer (OEM), ● Only purchase replacement airbag parts or com - ponents from the original manufacturer or an en - tity that meets the criteria specified in the regula- tion section, and, ● Retain receipts for all parts received or pur - chased, and maintain the receipts in accordance with existing record–keeping requirements.

Documents Incorporated by Reference None. ANTICIPATED BENEFITS OF THE PROPOSED REGULATION The Bureau has determined this regulatory pro - posal will have the following benefits to the health and welfare of California residents: by implementing these regulatory changes, the Bureau will expand air - bag safety regulations to ensure ARDs are prohibited from manufacturing, importing, installing, reinstall - ing, distributing, selling, or offering for sale substan - dard/unsafe airbags, as specified.

ARDs must restore airbags to the original operating condition as designed by the OEM, buy replacement airbag parts only from suppliers that meet specified criteria, and keep re - ceipts for all parts in compliance with record–keeping requirements. This regulatory proposal will establish engineer - ing safety standards that will help to ensure substan - dard/unsafe airbags are not installed in California automobiles. The regulations do not have an impact on worker safety or the state’s environment because they set stan- dards for airbags, as specified.

Evaluation of Consistency and Compatibility with Existing State Regulations During the process of developing this regulatory proposal, BAR has conducted a search of any similar regulations on this topic and has concluded that these regulations are neither inconsistent nor incompatible with existing state regulations.

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 900 DISCLOSURES REGARDING THE PROPOSED ACTION FISCAL IMPACT ESTIMATES Fiscal Impact on Public Agencies Including Costs or Savings to State Agencies or Costs/Savings in Federal Funding to the State: ARDs found to be out–of–compliance may be subject to disciplinary ac - tion. BAR may issue a citation and fine and estimates workload costs of $450 and fine revenues of $500 per violation.

The Bureau does not have a total fiscal im - pact estimate because the number of future non–compliant airbags being manufactured, import - ed, installed, reinstalled, distributed, sold, or offered for sale is unknown. The regulations do not result in costs or savings in federal funding to the state. Nondiscretionary Costs/Savings to Local Agen - cies: None. Cost to Any Local Agency or School District for Which Government Code Sections 17500–17630 Require Reimbursement: None. Mandate Imposed on Local Agencies or School Districts: None. Significant Effect on Housing Costs: None.

BUSINESS IMPACT ESTIMATES BAR made the initial determination that the pro - posed regulations will have no significant statewide adverse economic impact directly affecting business - es, including the ability of California businesses to compete with businesses in other states. This proposal is intended to help prevent substandard/unsafe airbag repair practices. It is difficult to estimate the total cost impact result- ing from the proposed regulations because the number of future non–compliant airbags being manufactured, imported, installed, reinstalled, distributed, sold, or offered for sale is unknown.

Additionally, the number or percentage of non–compliant airbags already installed in the state’s fleet is also unknown, plus the cost of an OEM airbag or the component parts of an airbag system varies by vehicle make and model. As a result, BAR does not have a total economic cost estimate at this time. However, sales cost data indicates OEM airbags of various popular automobiles, including automobiles from Toyota, Honda, Ford, and Tesla, range from $500 to $1,000 per unit (not including installation).

BAR notes non–compliant airbags from these brands can be purchased on the internet at up to 50 percent lower costs. BAR also notes that a non–compliant airbag fail - ing to deploy properly and/or causing harm or death has no intrinsic value, and could result in significant healthcare costs, as well as unmeasurable pain and suffering to Californians. Cost Impact on Representative Private Person or Business: The Bureau is not aware of any cost impacts that a representative private person or business would nec - essarily incur in reasonable compliance with the pro - posed action.

This proposal is intended to expand airbag safety regulations to ensure ARDs are prohibited from man - ufacturing, importing, installing, reinstalling, distrib - uting, selling, or offering for sale substandard/unsafe airbags, as specified. ARDs must restore airbags to the original operating condition as designed by the OEM, buy replacement airbag parts only from suppliers that meet specified criteria, and keep receipts for all parts in compliance with record–keeping requirements.

It is difficult to estimate the total cost impact result- ing from the proposed regulations because the number of future non–compliant airbags being manufactured, imported, installed, reinstalled, distributed, sold, or offered for sale is unknown. Additionally, the number or percentage of non– compliant airbags already installed in the state’s fleet is also unknown, plus the cost of an OEM airbag or the component parts of an airbag system varies by vehicle make and model. As a result, BAR does not have a to- tal economic cost estimate at this time.

However, sales cost data indicates OEM airbags of various popular automobiles, including automobiles from Toyota, Honda, Ford, and Tesla, range from $500 to $1,000 per unit (not including installation). BAR notes non–compliant airbags from these brands can be purchased on the internet at up to 50 percent low - er costs and ARD’s will be able to comply with the record keeping requirements within normal business operations.

BAR also notes that a non–compliant airbag fail - ing to deploy properly and/or causing harm or death has no intrinsic value, and could result in significant healthcare costs, as well as unmeasurable pain and suffering to Californians.

RESULTS OF ECONOMIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT/ANALYSIS The Bureau has determined this regulatory propos - al will have the following benefits to the health and welfare of California residents: by implementing these regulatory changes, the Bureau will expand airbag safety regulations to ensure ARDs are prohibited from manufacturing, importing, installing, reinstalling, distributing, selling, or offering for sale airbags that

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 901 meet the criteria specified in the regulation. ARDs must restore airbags to the original operating condi - tion as designed by the OEM, buy replacement airbag parts only from suppliers that meet specified crite - ria, and keep receipts for all parts in compliance with record–keeping requirements. This regulatory proposal will establish engineer - ing safety standards that will help to ensure substan - dard/unsafe airbags are not installed in California automobiles.

The regulations do not have an impact on worker safety or the state’s environment because they set stan- dards for airbags, as specified. Impact on Jobs/Businesses: BAR has determined that this regulatory proposal will not: (1) create jobs within California; (2) eliminate jobs within California; (3) create new businesses within California; (4) eliminate existing businesses within California; and, (5) expand businesses currently doing business in the State of California.

Benefits of Regulation: The Bureau has determined this regulatory pro - posal will have the following benefits to the health and welfare of California residents: by implementing these regulatory changes, the Bureau will expand air - bag safety regulations to ensure ARDs are prohibited from manufacturing, importing, installing, reinstall - ing, distributing, selling, or offering for sale substan - dard/unsafe airbags, as specified.

ARDs must restore airbags to the original operating condition as designed by the OEM, buy replacement airbag parts only from suppliers that meet specified criteria, and keep re - ceipts for all parts in compliance with record–keeping requirements. This regulatory proposal will establish engineering safety standards that will help to ensure substandard/ unsafe airbags (airbags that meet the criteria speci - fied in the regulation) are not installed in California automobiles. The regulations do not have an impact on worker safety or the state’s environment because they set stan- dards for airbags, as specified.

Business Reporting Requirements The regulatory action does not require businesses to file a report with the Bureau. EFFECT ON SMALL BUSINESS The Bureau has determined that the proposed regu - lations will not adversely affect small businesses. It is difficult to estimate the total cost impact result- ing from the proposed regulations because the number of future non–compliant airbags being manufactured, imported, installed, reinstalled, distributed, sold, or offered for sale is unknown.

BAR notes non–compliant airbags from these brands can be purchased on the internet at up to 50 percent low - er costs and ARD’s will be able to comply with the record keeping requirements within normal business operations. BAR also notes that a non–compliant airbag fail - ing to deploy properly and/or causing harm or death has no intrinsic value, and could result in significant healthcare costs, as well as unmeasurable pain and suffering to Californians. This proposal is intended to help prevent substan - dard/unsafe airbag repair practices. CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVES In accordance with Government Code

section 11346.5(a) (13), BAR must determine that no reason - able alternative to this proposed regulatory action it considered, or that has otherwise been identified and brought to its attention, would be more effective in carrying out the purpose for which the action is pro - posed, would be as effective and less burdensome to affected private persons than the proposal described in this Notice, or would be more cost–effective to af - fected private persons and equally effective in imple - menting the statutory policy or other provision of law.

Any interested person may submit comments, rel - evant to the above determinations, to the Bureau in writing at 10949 North Mather Boulevard, Rancho Cordova, California 95670 during the written com - ment period, or at the hearing if one is scheduled or requested. AVAILABILITY OF STATEMENT OF REASONS AND RULEMAKING FILE The Bureau has compiled a record for this regula - tory action, which includes the Initial Statement of Reasons (ISOR), proposed regulatory text, and all the information on which this proposal is based.

This ma- terial is contained in the rulemaking file and is avail - able for public inspection upon request to the contact persons named in this notice.

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 902 TEXT OF PROPOSAL Copies of the exact language of the proposed regu - lations, any document incorporated by reference, the Initial Statement of Reasons, and all of the informa - tion upon which the proposal is based, may be ob - tained upon request from the Bureau of Automotive Repair, 10949 North Mather Boulevard, Rancho Cor - dova, California 95670.

AVAILABILITY OF CHANGED OR MODIFIED TEXT After considering all timely and relevant comments, the Bureau, upon its own motion or at the request of any interested party, may thereafter adopt the propos - als substantially as described below or may modify such proposals if such modifications are sufficient - ly related to the original text.

With the exception of technical or grammatical changes, the full text of any modified proposal, with the modifications clearly in - dicated, will be available for review and written com - ment for 15 days prior to its adoption from the person designated in this Notice as the Contact Person and will be mailed to those persons who submit written comments or oral testimony related to this proposal or who have requested notification of any changes to the proposal.

AVAILABILITY AND LOCATION OF THE RULEMAKING FILE AND THE FINAL STATEMENT OF REASONS All the information upon which the proposed regu - lations are based is contained in the rulemaking file, which is available for public inspection by contacting the person named below. You may obtain a copy of the Final Statement of Reasons, once it has been prepared, by making a writ- ten request to the contact persons named below, or by accessing the website listed below.

CONTACT PERSONS Inquiries or comments concerning the proposed ad - ministrative action may be addressed to: Holly Helsing Bureau of Automotive Repair 10949 North Mather Blvd. Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 Telephone: (916) 403–8600 Email: Holly.Helsing@dca.ca.gov The backup contact person is: Tessa Miller Bureau of Automotive Repair 10949 North Mather Blvd.

Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 Telephone: (916) 403–8600 Email: Tessa.Miller@dca.ca.gov AVAILABILITY OF DOCUMENTS ON THE INTERNET Copies of the Notice of Proposed Action, the Initial Statement of Reasons, and the text of the regulations with modifications noted, as well as the Final State - ment of Reasons when completed, and modified text, if any, can be accessed through the Bureau’s website at https://www.bar.ca.gov/Regulatory-Actions. TITLE 16.

ARCHITECTS BOARD ARCHITECT IN TRAINING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the California Architects Board (Board) is proposing to take the ac - tion described in the Informative Digest below, after considering all comments, objections, and recommen- dations regarding the proposed action. PUBLIC HEARING The Board has not scheduled a public hearing on this proposed action. However, the Board will hold a hearing if it receives a written request for a public hearing from any interested person, or his or her au - thorized representative, no later than 15 days prior to the close of the written comment period.

A hearing may be requested by making such request in writing addressed to the individuals listed under “Contact Per- son” in this notice. WRITTEN COMMENT PERIOD Written comments relevant to the action proposed, including those sent by mail, facsimile, or email to the addresses listed under “Contact Person” in this Notice, must be received by the Board at its office no later than Monday August 24, 2026, or must be received by the Board at the hearing, should one be scheduled.

AUTHORITY AND REFERENCE Pursuant to the authority vested by sections 5500.2 and 5526 of the Business and Professions Code (BPC), and to implement, interpret, or make specific BPC sections 5500.2, 5526, 5587, and 5587.5, the Board is considering adopting

section 109.05 of title 16 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR). Pursuant to the authority vested by sections 5500.02 and 5526 of

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 903 the BPC, and to implement, interpret, or make specific BPC sections 5500.2 and 5604, the Board is consider- ing amending

section 144 of title 16 of the CCR. INFORMATIVE DIGEST/POLICY STATEMENT OVERVIEW Assembly Bill (AB) 759 (Valencia,

Chapter 380, Statutes of 2025) created BPC sections 5500.2, 5587, and 5587.5 which establish the Architect–in–Training (AIT) title and the Board’s authority to implement it. The AIT title sections become effective on January 1, 2027, and expire on January 1, 2037. The Board is re- quired to implement regulations to make specific the method to apply for, renew, inactivate, and reactivate the AIT as well as clarify how those using the AIT can update their licensee supervisor.

The Board’s funding is classified as special funds, and as such the Board’s revenues and expenditures are generated from regulating the profession. Pursu - ant to Business and Professions Code sections 5526 and 5604, the Board has the statutory authority to col- lect fees to carry out its consumer protection mandate and support the functions of the Board. The fees of the Board are required to be sufficient to support the func- tions or operational needs of the Board.

The State of California State Administrative Manual (SAM), sec - tion 9210, provides that it is state policy for depart - ments to recover full costs whenever goods or services are provided to others.

Section 9210 of the SAM spec- ifies that full costs include “all costs attributable di - rectly to the activity plus a fair share of indirect costs which can be ascribed reasonably to the good or ser - vice provided.” The Board’s fees regulation, 16 CCR

section 144, was created to specify the fees that the Board was al - lowed to charge pursuant to BPC 5604. Currently, the Board does not have a fee specified for the applica - tion to use the AIT title which was authorized by BPC 5500.2(g). This proposal is necessary to ensure the Board continues its consumer protection mandate and recovers costs for the services it provides.

Anticipated Benefits of Proposal The Board has determined that this regulatory pro - posal will have the following benefits to the health and welfare of California residents: This proposal will implement the method by which candidates will be authorized to use the AIT title. This regulatory proposal will benefit the health and wel - fare of Californians by allowing candidates who have passed at least one examination toward licensure to use a title that clarifies, to the public, they are pursuing an architectural license.

Additionally, this proposal will establish a fee for the Board to recoup its expenses for the processing of an AIT application. The fee will help the Board continue its mission of consumer protection by way of regulation of the profession of architecture while aligning with SAM

section 9210. This regulatory proposal does not affect worker safety or the state’s environment. Evaluation of Consistency and Compatibility with Existing State Regulations During the process of developing this regulatory proposal, the Board has conducted a search of any similar regulations on these topics and has concluded that these regulations are neither inconsistent nor in - compatible with existing state regulations.

DISCLOSURES REGARDING THIS PROPOSED ACTION FISCAL IMPACT ESTIMATES Fiscal Impact on Public Agencies Including Costs or Savings to State Agencies or Costs/Savings in Federal Funding to the State: The Board estimates 1,100 AIT applicants will apply annually in years 1–5 of implementation and decrease to 1,000 AIT appli - cants per year thereafter.

The Board will incur work - load costs and receive revenues as follows: Workload Costs: The Board estimates workload costs of approximately $131 per AIT application, which would result in total costs ranging from approx- imately $141,000 to $176,000 per year and up to $1,595 million over a ten–year period. Revenues: This proposal establishes a $131 AIT ap- plication fee, which would result in annual revenues of approximately $144,000 in years 1–5 and $131,000 ongoing thereafter and up to $1.375 million over a ten–year period.

The Board notes, because AB 759 authorizes the AIT title and compliance and because the proposed regulations are limited to the AIT application process (only), any future enforcement–related workload and costs would be a result of current law. The proposed regulations do not result in costs or savings in federal funding to the state. Nondiscretionary Costs/Savings to Local Agen - cies: None. Cost to any Local Agency or School District for which Government Code Sections 17500–17630 Re- quire Reimbursement: None. Mandate Imposed on Local Agencies or School Districts: None. Significant Effect on Housing Costs: None.

BUSINESS IMPACT ESTIMATES The Board has made the initial determination that the proposed regulatory action would have no signif -

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 904 icant statewide adverse economic impact directly af - fecting business, including the ability of California businesses to compete with businesses in other states. This initial determination is based on the fact that the regulations do not result in additional workload costs to businesses, therefore negative impacts are not anticipated.

However, in the event an architecture firm or business employs an individual seeking the AIT designation and opts to pay the $131 AIT application fee on behalf of the applicant, the Board indicates the impact would be minimal. Cost Impact on Representative Private Person or Business The Board indicates that a representative private person or business would necessarily incur minimal costs in reasonable compliance with the proposed ac - tion. Individuals opting to apply for the AIT designa - tion or a business paying for the individual will pay a $131 AIT application fee.

The Board estimates 1,100 AIT applicants will ap - ply annually in years 1–5 of implementation and de - crease to 1,000 AIT applicants per year thereafter. The Board estimates annual costs to individuals or busi - nesses of approximately $144,000 in years 1–5 and $131,000 ongoing thereafter and up to $1.375 million over a ten–year period.

RESULTS OF ECONOMIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT/ANALYSIS Impact on Jobs/Businesses The Board has determined that this regulatory pro - posal will not have any impact on the following: 1) Creation or elimination of jobs within California, 2) Creation of new businesses or elimination of ex - isting businesses within California, or, 3) Expansion of businesses currently doing business within the state.

Benefits of Regulation The Board has determined that this regulatory pro - posal will have the following effects on the health and welfare of California residents, worker safety, and the state’s environment: ● This regulatory proposal clarifies that an individ- ual using the AIT title is actively pursuing an ar - chitectural license, which will benefit the health and welfare of California residents. ● This regulatory proposal does not affect worker safety because it does not involve worker safety. ● This regulatory proposal does not affect the state’s environment because it does not involve the environment.

Business Reporting Requirements The regulatory action does not require businesses to file a report with the Board. Effect on Small Business The Board does not maintain data to define if any of its licensees are a “small business” as defined in Government Code

section 11342.610. However, in the event a small business architecture firm or other small business employs an individual opting for the AIT designation and pays the $131 AIT application fee on behalf of the applicant, the Board indicates the impact would be minimal. CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVES In accordance with Government Code

section 11346.5, subdivision (a) (13), the Board must deter - mine that no reasonable alternative it considered to the regulation or that has otherwise been identified and brought to its attention would be more effective in car- rying out the purpose for which the action is proposed; would be as effective and less burdensome to affected private persons than the proposal described in this No- tice; or would be more cost–effective to affected pri - vate persons and equally effective in implementing the statutory policy or other provision of law.

Any interested person may submit written com - ments relevant to the above determinations at the Board’s office at 2420 Del Paso Road, Suite 105, Sac- ramento, California 95834 during the written com - ment period, or at the hearing if one is scheduled or requested. AVAILABILITY OF STATEMENT OF REASONS AND RULEMAKING FILE The Board has compiled a record for this regulatory action, which includes the Initial Statement of Rea - sons (ISOR), proposed regulatory text, and all the in - formation on which this proposal is based.

This mate- rial is contained in the rulemaking file and is available for public inspection upon request to the contact per - sons named in this notice. TEXT OF PROPOSAL Copies of the exact language of the proposed regu - lations, and any document incorporated by reference, and of the initial statement of reasons, and all of the information upon which the proposal is based, may be obtained upon request from the Board at 2420 Del Paso Road, Suite 105, Sacramento, California 95834.

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 905 AVAILABILITY OF CHANGED OR MODIFIED TEXT After considering all timely and relevant comments, the Board, upon its own motion or at the request of any interested party, may thereafter adopt the proposals substantially as described below or may modify such proposals if such modifications are sufficiently related to the original text.

With the exception of technical or grammatical changes, the full text of any modified proposal, with the modifications clearly indicated, will be available for review and written comment for 15 days prior to its adoption from the person designat - ed in this Notice as the Contact Person and will be mailed to those persons who submit written comments or oral testimony related to this proposal or who have requested notification of any changes to the proposal.

AVAILABILITY AND LOCATION OF THE FINAL STATEMENT OF REASONS AND RULEMAKING FILE All the information upon which the proposed reg - ulations are based is contained in the rulemaking file which is available for public inspection by contacting the person named below. You may obtain a copy of the Final Statement of Reasons once it has been prepared by making a writ - ten request to the Contact Person named below or by accessing the website listed below.

CONTACT PERSONS Inquiries or comments concerning the proposed rulemaking action may be addressed to: Name: Timothy Rodda Address: 2420 Del Paso Road, Suite 105 Sacramento, CA 95834 Telephone Number: (279) 895–1246 Email Address: timothy.rodda@dca.ca.gov The backup contact person is: Name: Laura Zuniga Address: 2420 Del Paso Road, Suite 105 Sacramento, CA 95834 Telephone Number: (916) 471–0760 Email Address: laura.zuniga@dca.ca.gov AVAILABILITY OF DOCUMENTS ON THE INTERNET: Materials regarding this proposal can be found at https://www.cab.ca.gov/resrcs/laws_regs/prop_reg. shtml.

Copies of the Notice of Proposed Action, the Initial Statement of Reasons, and the text of the regulations with modifications noted, as well as the Final State - ment of Reasons when completed, and modified text, if any, can be accessed through the Board’s website at https://www.cab.ca.gov/resrcs/laws_regs/prop_reg. shtml. TITLE 19.

OFFICE OF ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE SAFETY/ UNDERGROUND FACILITIES SAFE EXCAVATION BOARD REGIONAL NOTIFICATION CENTER MEMBERSHIP TERMINATION The Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety’s Un - derground Facilities Safe Excavation Board (Under - ground Safety Board) proposes to adopt and amend the regulations described below after considering all comments, objections, and recommendations regard - ing the proposed action. PUBLIC HEARING A public hearing on this proposed regulatory action has not been scheduled.

However, a hearing will be held if a written request for a public hearing from any interested person, or their authorized representative, is received no later than 15 days before the close of the written comment period. WRITTEN COMMENT PERIOD Any interested person, or their authorized represen- tative, may submit written comments relevant to the proposed rulemaking action. The written comment period begins July 10, 2026, and closes August 24, 2026. To ensure your comment will be considered, it must be received by August 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Comments received during the written comment period will be considered and responded to as part of the rulemaking file and are subject to disclosure under the Public Records Act (Gov. Code

Section 7920.000, et seq.). Written comments should be directed to: Email: digboard@energysafety.ca.gov Please reference “Member Termination” in the sub- ject line. US Mail postmarked no later than August 24, 2026, to:

CALIFORNIA REGULATORY NOTICE REGISTER 2026, VOLUME NUMBER 28–Z 906 Underground Safety Board Attention: Jaime Hastings 715 P Street, 15th Floor Sacramento, CA 95814 AUTHORITY AND REFERENCE Authority:

Section 4216.22, Government Code. Reference: Sections 4216, 4216.1, 4216.2, 4216.3, 4216.10, and 4216.16, Government Code. INFORMATIVE DIGEST/POLICY STATEMENT OVERVIEW

Summary of Existing Laws and Regulations and Effect of the Proposed Action: 811 is a national call–before–you–dig phone num - ber in the United States that connects users to local utility location services. In California, those calls are directed to one of two regional notification cen - ters (RNCs). All operators (one who owns, operates, or maintains a subsurface installation), except for the California Department of Transportation, must be a member of an RNC.

The California Underground Fa - cilities Safe Excavation Board (the Board) works with the industry on safety standards and implements regu- lations related to the system. The Board also enforces the law and makes enforcement recommendations to other agencies. California Government Code

section 4216 through 4216.24 covers the California regional notification system. When someone (an excavator) wants to excavate, they call, or submit an electronic request to, the RNC and the RNC informs the local operators who have utilities underground in the area in which excavation will occur. The operators have a legal duty to perform certain actions within a specified time. Those actions should result in the excavator receiving information related to the location of the operator facilities so the excavator can avoid striking them.

For the RNC sys - tem to function appropriately, it is imperative that the correct operator receive notice. These proposed regu - lations require an RNC to inform the Board, within 14 business days, when an operator ceases to be a mem - ber of that RNC. The notice must include 1) the most recent contact information for the former member, 2) if known, the identity of the new entity responsible for the affected underground fa

Document details

Collection	California Z Register
Citation	Cal. Reg. Notice Reg. 2026, No. 28
Type	gazette
Language	en
Format	pdf
Source	CA_ZREG
Identifier	eb43acbf7298d5074ad11c25ed7a6743c931b1c6

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