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

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 scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 2200
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.
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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
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

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 scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 2200
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

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
Showing 1 of 1 items
Page 1 of 1