Department of Consumer Affairs and Department of Real Estate: states of emergency: waivers and exemptions.

Senator Ashby's emergency response legislation grants California's Department of Real Estate and Department of Consumer Affairs boards new authority to modify licensing requirements during declared emergencies. The measure allows these agencies to waive examination deadlines, renewal periods, continuing education mandates, and certain fees for licensees and applicants affected by disasters.

The bill establishes specific parameters for debris removal operations during emergencies, limiting such work to contractors with designated license classifications and hazardous materials certifications. It requires the Real Estate Commissioner to monitor potential fraudulent practices targeting property owners in disaster areas and notify the public about identified schemes. The legislation also prohibits real estate licensees from making unsolicited offers below fair market value for properties in declared disaster zones, with violations constituting a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $10,000 and six months imprisonment.

To facilitate communication during emergencies, the measure requires all licensees and applicants to provide email addresses to their respective regulatory boards. The provisions take effect immediately upon passage, with emergency-related waivers extending through declared disaster periods and up to one year afterward, subject to potential extensions based on ongoing needs.