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    SB-234
    Energy & Environment

    Wildfires: workgroup: toxic heavy metals.

    Engrossed
    CA
    ∙
    2025-2026 Regular Session
    0
    0
    Track
    Track

    Key Takeaways

    • Establishes a state workgroup to study and address toxic heavy metal exposure from wildfires.
    • Requires development of safety guidelines for first responders and communities affected by wildfires.
    • Mandates research into methods to prevent and clean up heavy metal contamination after wildfires.
    • Requires findings to be reported to the Legislature within 3 years of the workgroup's first meeting.

    Summary

    Senator Niello's wildfire safety legislation establishes an interagency workgroup to address toxic heavy metal exposure in California communities affected by wildfires. The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Office of Emergency Services, and Department of Toxic Substances Control would collaborate with academic researchers and public health experts to develop protocols for protecting first responders and residents from metals like chromium-6 that can become airborne during high-intensity fires.

    The workgroup would examine methods for preventing and remediating heavy metal contamination, including bioremediation through vegetation and bacterial treatments. Their mandate includes creating outreach materials and recommendations for wildfire-impacted communities while studying ways that fire departments and response agencies can minimize exposure risks during operations. The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection may contract with universities and research institutions to support these efforts.

    The legislation requires the participating agencies to report their findings to the Legislature within three years of the workgroup's first meeting. The bill's findings note that California experienced over 10 million acres burned between 2018-2025, double the previous decade's annual average, creating unprecedented cleanup challenges. Recent research indicates extreme heat from wildfires can transform naturally occurring soil elements into toxic airborne particles, prompting the need for enhanced safety protocols.

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Next Step
    Assembly Committee
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Assembly Environmental Safety And Toxic Materials Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Environmental Safety And Toxic Materials Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
    Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Senate Floor
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Senate 3rd Reading SB234 Niello et al
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass as amended
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Placed on suspense file
    Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
    Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Environmental Quality] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
    Introduced
    Senate Floor
    Introduced
    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Roger NielloR
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Benjamin AllenD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Joaquin ArambulaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Lisa CalderonD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 17 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 4
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Roger NielloR
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Benjamin AllenD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Joaquin ArambulaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Lisa CalderonD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Mike FongD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Diane DixonR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Gregg HartD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Blanca PachecoD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Gail PellerinD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Kate SanchezR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tri TaR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jessica CalozaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Mark GonzalezD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Heather HadwickR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jose SolacheD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Sade ElhawaryD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member

    Similar Past Legislation

    Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
    SB-1176
    Wildfires: workgroup: toxic heavy metals.
    February 2024
    Failed
    View Bill
    Showing 1 of 1 items
    Page 1 of 1

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Roger Niello
    Roger NielloR
    California State Senator
    Co-Author
    Benjamin Allen
    Benjamin AllenD
    California State Senator
    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/28/2025)

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    July 1, 2025
    PASS
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Environmental Safety And Toxic Materials Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    7007PASS

    Key Takeaways

    • Establishes a state workgroup to study and address toxic heavy metal exposure from wildfires.
    • Requires development of safety guidelines for first responders and communities affected by wildfires.
    • Mandates research into methods to prevent and clean up heavy metal contamination after wildfires.
    • Requires findings to be reported to the Legislature within 3 years of the workgroup's first meeting.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Roger Niello
    Roger NielloR
    California State Senator
    Co-Author
    Benjamin Allen
    Benjamin AllenD
    California State Senator

    Summary

    Senator Niello's wildfire safety legislation establishes an interagency workgroup to address toxic heavy metal exposure in California communities affected by wildfires. The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Office of Emergency Services, and Department of Toxic Substances Control would collaborate with academic researchers and public health experts to develop protocols for protecting first responders and residents from metals like chromium-6 that can become airborne during high-intensity fires.

    The workgroup would examine methods for preventing and remediating heavy metal contamination, including bioremediation through vegetation and bacterial treatments. Their mandate includes creating outreach materials and recommendations for wildfire-impacted communities while studying ways that fire departments and response agencies can minimize exposure risks during operations. The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection may contract with universities and research institutions to support these efforts.

    The legislation requires the participating agencies to report their findings to the Legislature within three years of the workgroup's first meeting. The bill's findings note that California experienced over 10 million acres burned between 2018-2025, double the previous decade's annual average, creating unprecedented cleanup challenges. Recent research indicates extreme heat from wildfires can transform naturally occurring soil elements into toxic airborne particles, prompting the need for enhanced safety protocols.

    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/28/2025)

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Next Step
    Assembly Committee
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Assembly Environmental Safety And Toxic Materials Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Environmental Safety And Toxic Materials Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
    Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Senate Floor
    Vote on Senate Floor
    Senate 3rd Reading SB234 Niello et al
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass as amended
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Placed on suspense file
    Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
    Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Environmental Quality] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
    Introduced
    Senate Floor
    Introduced
    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    July 1, 2025
    PASS
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Environmental Safety And Toxic Materials Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    7007PASS

    Contacts

    Profile
    Roger NielloR
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Benjamin AllenD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Joaquin ArambulaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Lisa CalderonD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 17 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 4
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Roger NielloR
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Benjamin AllenD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Joaquin ArambulaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Lisa CalderonD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Mike FongD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Diane DixonR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Gregg HartD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Blanca PachecoD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Gail PellerinD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Kate SanchezR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tri TaR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jessica CalozaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Mark GonzalezD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Heather HadwickR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jose SolacheD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Sade ElhawaryD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member

    Similar Past Legislation

    Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
    SB-1176
    Wildfires: workgroup: toxic heavy metals.
    February 2024
    Failed
    View Bill
    Showing 1 of 1 items
    Page 1 of 1