Senate leadership said it would cost about $175 million a year to boost staffing levels to respond to increased fire risk.

Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire proposed that state firefighters work full time in place of the seasonal workforce the agency currently staffs for nine months each year.

Both Republicans and Democrats have filed several bills this session related to wildfires in the wake of the massive deadly fires that decimated Los Angeles in January.

State legislators are calling to extend Cal Fire's staffing to a year-round system, switching some roles from nine-month positions.