California Individual Assistance Act.

Assembly Member Caloza's California Individual Assistance Act establishes a state grant program to provide disaster relief funding for communities and individuals who fall below federal assistance thresholds. The program, administered through the Office of Emergency Services, creates a pathway for local agencies, community organizations, and residents to receive financial support following state or locally declared emergencies.

The legislation authorizes funding from the Disaster Assistance Fund for housing repairs, personal property replacement, medical expenses, and income losses resulting from disasters such as fires, floods, earthquakes, or other calamities. Local agencies and community organizations can receive grants to cover disaster response costs, including personnel, equipment, translation services, and supplies. The program specifically prioritizes jurisdictions that do not qualify for federal disaster aid due to damage levels falling below minimum federal thresholds.

Under the act's provisions, eligible parties must apply for assistance within 60 days of a local emergency proclamation, though extensions may be granted in unusual circumstances. The director of Emergency Services will develop procedures for advancing funds to expedite grant delivery and adopt detailed regulations governing program eligibility, application processes, and fund distribution. As an urgency measure, the law takes effect immediately upon passage, though actual grant disbursement requires legislative appropriation.