Assembly Member Caloza's California Individual Assistance Act establishes a state grant program to provide direct financial aid to residents, local agencies, and community organizations following disasters that may not qualify for federal assistance.

The legislation authorizes the Office of Emergency Services to allocate funds from the Disaster Assistance Fund for housing repairs, personal property replacement, medical expenses, and income losses incurred by California residents after a declared emergency. Local agencies and community-based organizations can receive funding for disaster response activities, including personnel costs, equipment, translation services, and supplies. The program also covers site preparation for evacuation centers and local assistance facilities.

To access assistance, local agencies must declare an emergency within 10 days of a disaster, subject to the director's approval or a gubernatorial emergency proclamation. Agencies, organizations, and individuals then have 60 days to apply for aid, though extensions may be granted for unavoidable delays such as recurring disasters or severe weather. The director must develop procedures allowing advance funding to expedite grant delivery and adopt regulations specifying eligibility requirements and application processes.

The act takes effect immediately upon passage, reflecting the Legislature's determination that rapid implementation is needed to address recent disaster impacts on California communities. By expanding the use of continuously appropriated disaster funds, the program creates a permanent mechanism for providing individual assistance during emergencies that fall below federal disaster thresholds.