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    AB-372
    Natural Resources & Water

    Office of Emergency Services: state matching funds: water system infrastructure improvements.

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

    Key Takeaways

    • Establishes a new program to fund water infrastructure improvements in high-risk wildfire areas.
    • Provides state matching funds to rural communities for upgrading water lines and installing fire hydrants.
    • Prioritizes funding for water systems serving 15,000 or fewer connections in fire-prone zones.
    • Requires coordination between multiple state agencies to implement water system improvements.

    Summary

    Assembly Member Bennett's proposal to establish the Rural Water Infrastructure for Wildfire Resilience Program within California's Office of Emergency Services (OES) aims to bolster fire suppression capabilities in high-risk rural communities through targeted water infrastructure improvements. The program would distribute state matching funds to urban wildland interface communities located in designated high or very high fire hazard severity zones.

    The program authorizes funding for specific water system enhancements, including waterline upgrades, additional fire hydrants, improved distribution capacity, system interconnections, and backup power generation. OES would coordinate implementation with the Department of Water Resources, State Water Resources Control Board, and Office of the State Fire Marshal. The bill's findings note that one in four California residential structures - over 2 million households - are situated within or near high fire hazard severity zones.

    Fund distribution would prioritize smaller water systems serving 15,000 or fewer connections, with particular focus on projects near national resource waters and headwaters. Eligible projects must align with existing community wildfire protection plans, hazard mitigation strategies, or water system master plans. The program's activation depends on voter approval of the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024, which would provide the necessary appropriations.

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Senate Governmental Organization Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Governmental Organization Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Natural Resources and Water]
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 372 Bennett Assembly Third Reading
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass
    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 Emergency Management Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Emergency Management Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials]
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Read first time. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Shannon GroveR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Benjamin AllenD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Henry SternD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Monique LimonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Melissa HurtadoD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 8 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 2
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Shannon GroveR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Benjamin AllenD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Henry SternD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Monique LimonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Melissa HurtadoD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Steve BennettD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    John LairdD
    Senator
    Committee Member

    Similar Past Legislation

    Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
    SB-1088
    Office of Emergency Services: state matching funds: water system infrastructure improvements.
    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

    Steve Bennett
    Steve BennettD
    California State Assembly Member
    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    June 24, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Committee
    Senate Governmental Organization Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    150015PASS

    Key Takeaways

    • Establishes a new program to fund water infrastructure improvements in high-risk wildfire areas.
    • Provides state matching funds to rural communities for upgrading water lines and installing fire hydrants.
    • Prioritizes funding for water systems serving 15,000 or fewer connections in fire-prone zones.
    • Requires coordination between multiple state agencies to implement water system improvements.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

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

    Introduced By

    Steve Bennett
    Steve BennettD
    California State Assembly Member

    Summary

    Assembly Member Bennett's proposal to establish the Rural Water Infrastructure for Wildfire Resilience Program within California's Office of Emergency Services (OES) aims to bolster fire suppression capabilities in high-risk rural communities through targeted water infrastructure improvements. The program would distribute state matching funds to urban wildland interface communities located in designated high or very high fire hazard severity zones.

    The program authorizes funding for specific water system enhancements, including waterline upgrades, additional fire hydrants, improved distribution capacity, system interconnections, and backup power generation. OES would coordinate implementation with the Department of Water Resources, State Water Resources Control Board, and Office of the State Fire Marshal. The bill's findings note that one in four California residential structures - over 2 million households - are situated within or near high fire hazard severity zones.

    Fund distribution would prioritize smaller water systems serving 15,000 or fewer connections, with particular focus on projects near national resource waters and headwaters. Eligible projects must align with existing community wildfire protection plans, hazard mitigation strategies, or water system master plans. The program's activation depends on voter approval of the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024, which would provide the necessary appropriations.

    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Senate Governmental Organization Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Governmental Organization Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Natural Resources and Water]
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 372 Bennett Assembly Third Reading
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass
    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 Emergency Management Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Emergency Management Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials]
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Read first time. To print.

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    June 24, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Committee
    Senate Governmental Organization Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    150015PASS

    Contacts

    Profile
    Shannon GroveR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Benjamin AllenD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Henry SternD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Monique LimonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Melissa HurtadoD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 8 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 2
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Shannon GroveR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Benjamin AllenD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Henry SternD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Monique LimonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Melissa HurtadoD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Steve BennettD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    John LairdD
    Senator
    Committee Member

    Similar Past Legislation

    Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
    SB-1088
    Office of Emergency Services: state matching funds: water system infrastructure improvements.
    February 2024
    Failed
    View Bill
    Showing 1 of 1 items
    Page 1 of 1