Disaster Response & Emergency Management

Requires cities to develop comprehensive wildfire retrofit strategies for high-risk areas by January 2026. Establishes a state clearinghouse of wildfire safety best practices and local policies by January 2027. Mandates regular updates to city safety plans to include new wildfire protection measures. Requires cities to map high-risk fire zones and create specific protection policies for these areas.

Exempts emergency railroad repairs along the LA-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor from coastal development permits. Requires agencies to notify the Coastal Commission within 14 days of starting emergency repair work. Applies only to repairs within one year of damage from natural disasters or earth movement. Prohibits exemptions for expanding rail facilities or constructing new shoreline structures.

Establishes a new certification program for employee-owned construction contractors starting January 2027. Provides bid preferences of 2-4% for certified contractors based on their employee ownership percentage. Grants an additional 1% bid preference to certified contractors with unionized employees. Creates a state hub to support and promote employee-owned businesses through education and resources.

Undeveloped "intent bill" that aims to streamline the certification process for opening California businesses. Proposes training requirements to help entrepreneurs successfully operate small businesses.

Establishes a new system to prioritize major highway projects that enhance climate resilience across multiple counties. Requires Caltrans to create an annual list of priority infrastructure projects by July 2026. Prioritizes projects that improve safety, goods movement, and protection against extreme weather events. Mandates annual legislative reports starting January 2027 to track progress on climate-resilient infrastructure.

Extends the California Competes Grant Program for job creation and business investment through January 2031. Maintains GO-Biz's authority to provide economic development grants for an additional year. Requires no new funding appropriations to extend the existing grant program.

Prohibits credit agencies from reporting property sales caused by wildfire damage in declared emergency areas. Prevents lenders from using wildfire-related property sales as a negative factor in credit decisions. Applies to properties damaged beyond repair by wildfires occurring after January 7, 2025.

Requires state and local agencies to develop disaster recovery frameworks for catastrophic events by January 2027. Mandates incorporation of six key recovery areas including housing, infrastructure, and economic recovery. Provides technical assistance and federal grant funding to offset framework development costs. Takes immediate effect to enhance California's preparedness for wildfires, earthquakes, and floods.

Establishes a new Firefighting Mutual Aid Program to coordinate emergency response between fire agencies. Creates a reimbursement system for fire agencies that provide mutual aid during emergencies. Supports the sharing of fire engines and equipment between local departments during emergencies. Funds additional firefighting resources including mobile water systems and protective equipment.

Makes technical changes to provisions regarding the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

Requires state emergency officials to conduct disaster simulation exercises every two years with key agencies. Establishes a State Lifelines Council to coordinate rapid recovery of essential services after major disasters. Mandates annual emergency preparedness training in vulnerable communities with local response teams. Requires testing of emergency alert systems in areas with past notification challenges.

Establishes a system for fire-impacted property owners in Los Angeles County to notify qualified buyers of intent to sell. Requires Los Angeles County to maintain a public list of approved nonprofit and government property buyers. Aims to prevent community displacement by prioritizing sales to organizations focused on affordable housing. Expires six years after the end of the declared emergency period for the 2025 Eaton and Palisades Fires.

Authorizes state agencies to waive licensing requirements for professionals impacted by declared emergencies. Requires contractors performing disaster debris removal to have specific licenses and hazardous material training. Prohibits real estate agents from making below-market offers to property owners in disaster areas. Mandates the Real Estate Commissioner to monitor and report fraudulent practices during emergencies.

Expands California's emergency declaration criteria to include landslides and climate change impacts. Allows state and local officials to declare emergencies for conditions worsened by climate change. Clarifies that power shutoff emergencies do not trigger additional utility company obligations.

Establishes a new grant program to help small businesses prevent and recover from retail theft. Requires the Office of Small Business Advocate to manage the grant program and distribute funds. Mandates consultation with local, state, and federal entities to support small business needs. Requires legislative funding approval before grants can be distributed to small businesses.

Extends the waiting period from 90 to 100 days before firefighting equipment can be sold outside California. Prioritizes sales of firefighting equipment to rural local agencies over other buyers. Caps interest rates on equipment payment plans at 1% below the Pooled Money Investment rate. Authorizes the Office of Emergency Services to insure loans for local agencies buying fire equipment.

Requires California's Office of Emergency Services to develop training on recognizing foreign government harassment of immigrants. Mandates law enforcement training on digital surveillance and physical threats used to silence diaspora communities. Establishes a July 2026 deadline for creating programs to protect targeted immigrant and exile groups. Creates protocols for state agencies to counter foreign governments' intimidation of California residents.

Makes technical changes to provisions describing the duties of the Small Business Advocate.

Establishes California Alert, a new statewide emergency alert system that works with federal wireless alerts. Requires the state to contract with private vendors to send alerts to registered non-location-based phones. Maintains local governments as primary emergency alert issuers with California Alert serving as backup. Mandates new standards for sending emergency alerts across different jurisdictional boundaries.

Authorizes nonprofit contractors to modify service delivery methods during state emergencies with agency approval. Requires nonprofits to document and justify all expenses related to program closures or service reductions. Guarantees state funding for contracted services even when programs are canceled or reduced during emergencies. Allows nonprofits to request contract flexibility during non-emergency disruptions subject to agency approval.

Establishes a new state program to support California-based manufacturers of glass wine bottles. Provides manufacturers up to $200 per ton for producing wine bottles using recycled glass. Limits payments to 25,000 tons annually per manufacturer to promote local production. Uses existing unallocated recycling funds to help California producers compete with foreign manufacturers.

Prohibits unsolicited offers to buy residential properties in Los Angeles County areas affected by 2025 wildfires. Requires buyers and sellers to sign an attestation confirming the offer was not unsolicited before title transfer. Authorizes sellers to cancel violating contracts within 4 months and imposes fines up to $25,000 per violation. Expires on January 1, 2027 and applies only to specific Los Angeles County ZIP codes affected by fires.

Requires local agencies to approve disaster rebuilding permits within 14 days of application submission. Mandates utility providers to outline connection request steps within 30 days of permit approval. Expedites permits for temporary housing like modular homes during property reconstruction. Requires local agencies to publish permit tracking dashboards and rebuilding guidelines by 2028.

Establishes a program for investors to purchase securities that fund residential property stabilization in disaster areas. Requires qualifying investment entities to purchase and manage damaged properties for up to 10 years post-disaster. Distributes profits with 90% to investors, 5% to the state, and 5% to investment entities as administrative fees. Allows investors to defer up to 30% of capital gains for 10 years or until properties are sold or refinanced.

Authorizes bulk purchasing of construction materials at discounted rates for disaster-affected housing rebuilding through 2031. Requires materials to be sold at cost to homeowners, contractors, and local governments in disaster-affected areas. Prioritizes sustainable and locally sourced building materials for disaster recovery efforts. Mandates annual reporting to the Legislature on cost savings and rebuilding outcomes.