SB-514
Energy & Environment

Wildfire prevention: qualified entities: assessments.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Expands wildfire prevention by allowing more organizations to conduct defensible space assessments.
  • Requires property owners' voluntary assessment data to remain confidential upon request.
  • Creates a standardized training program for entities conducting fire safety assessments.
  • Establishes an annual reporting system to track defensible space compliance across jurisdictions.

Summary

Senator Cabaldon's wildfire prevention legislation expands California's defensible space assessment program by permanently authorizing qualified entities to evaluate properties' fire safety measures in both state and local responsibility areas. The bill adds nonprofit organizations focused on wildfire resiliency and contractors who conduct fire safety improvements to the roster of entities eligible to perform assessments after completing required training.

The legislation establishes new data privacy protections, requiring that information voluntarily provided by property owners be anonymized upon request and prohibiting its use for enforcement purposes without explicit authorization. Property assessments will be tracked through a common reporting platform, allowing the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to direct inspection resources based on compliance patterns and compile annual reports comparing assessment outcomes across jurisdictions.

Under the bill's provisions, qualified entities may evaluate properties' adherence to defensible space requirements and educate owners about structure hardening measures, though they hold no enforcement authority. The Department must develop standardized training to ensure consistent assessment methods and messaging across all participating organizations. This training program, previously set to expire in 2026, would continue indefinitely to support ongoing wildfire prevention efforts.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Natural Resources
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Natural Resources
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 437
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Special Consent SB514 Cabaldon
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
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Select All Legislators
Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Damon ConnollyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Rick ZburD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Robert GarciaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Alexandra MacedoR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Rhodesia RansomD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Christopher CabaldonD
Senator
Bill Author

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Christopher Cabaldon
Christopher CabaldonD
California State Senator
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/29/2025)

Latest Voting History

May 29, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
380240PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Expands wildfire prevention by allowing more organizations to conduct defensible space assessments.
  • Requires property owners' voluntary assessment data to remain confidential upon request.
  • Creates a standardized training program for entities conducting fire safety assessments.
  • Establishes an annual reporting system to track defensible space compliance across jurisdictions.

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Christopher Cabaldon
Christopher CabaldonD
California State Senator

Summary

Senator Cabaldon's wildfire prevention legislation expands California's defensible space assessment program by permanently authorizing qualified entities to evaluate properties' fire safety measures in both state and local responsibility areas. The bill adds nonprofit organizations focused on wildfire resiliency and contractors who conduct fire safety improvements to the roster of entities eligible to perform assessments after completing required training.

The legislation establishes new data privacy protections, requiring that information voluntarily provided by property owners be anonymized upon request and prohibiting its use for enforcement purposes without explicit authorization. Property assessments will be tracked through a common reporting platform, allowing the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to direct inspection resources based on compliance patterns and compile annual reports comparing assessment outcomes across jurisdictions.

Under the bill's provisions, qualified entities may evaluate properties' adherence to defensible space requirements and educate owners about structure hardening measures, though they hold no enforcement authority. The Department must develop standardized training to ensure consistent assessment methods and messaging across all participating organizations. This training program, previously set to expire in 2026, would continue indefinitely to support ongoing wildfire prevention efforts.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/29/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Natural Resources
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Natural Resources
Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 437
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Special Consent SB514 Cabaldon
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations] 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

May 29, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
380240PASS

Contacts

Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Al MuratsuchiD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Ash KalraD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Damon ConnollyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Josh HooverR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Rick ZburD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Robert GarciaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Alexandra MacedoR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Rhodesia RansomD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Christopher CabaldonD
Senator
Bill Author