Department of Consumer Affairs and Department of Real Estate: states of emergency: waivers and exemptions.

Senator Ashby's emergency response legislation grants California's consumer protection agencies new authority to modify professional licensing requirements when natural disasters strike. The Department of Real Estate and boards under the Department of Consumer Affairs may waive examination timing, renewal deadlines, continuing education mandates, and certain fees for licensees and applicants in disaster-affected areas.

The bill establishes a five-day review process for these waivers - boards must notify the Department of Consumer Affairs director in writing, who then has five business days to approve or reject the request. Approved waivers, or those not explicitly rejected within the review period, take effect the following day and must be posted publicly online. Waivers can extend through the declared emergency period and up to one year after, with possible extensions if needed to maintain public health and service continuity.

For debris removal operations, the legislation restricts work to contractors holding specific license classifications, though the registrar may authorize additional categories during declared emergencies. All contractors performing debris removal must pass hazardous substance certification and comply with occupational safety requirements. The Real Estate Commissioner must also monitor for predatory practices targeting property owners after disasters and provide public notices about unlawful schemes, consumer rights, and reporting procedures.

The measure adds new enforcement provisions for real estate licensees, prohibiting unsolicited below-market-value offers to property owners in disaster areas for one year after emergency declarations, with possible extension to two years. It also requires all Department of Consumer Affairs licensees to provide email addresses and exempts those in affected areas from address change reporting requirements and duplicate license fees.