SB-641
Consumer Protection

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

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Authorizes state agencies to waive licensing requirements for professionals impacted by declared emergencies.
  • Requires contractors performing disaster debris removal to have specific licenses and hazardous material training.
  • Prohibits real estate agents from making below-market offers to property owners in disaster areas.
  • Mandates the Real Estate Commissioner to monitor and report fraudulent practices during emergencies.

Summary

Senator Ashby's emergency response legislation grants California's Department of Real Estate and Department of Consumer Affairs boards new authority to modify licensing requirements during declared emergencies. The measure allows these agencies to waive examination deadlines, renewal periods, continuing education mandates, and certain fees for licensees and applicants affected by disasters.

The bill establishes specific parameters for debris removal operations during emergencies, limiting such work to contractors with designated license classifications and hazardous materials certifications. It requires the Real Estate Commissioner to monitor potential fraudulent practices targeting property owners in disaster areas and notify the public about identified schemes. The legislation also prohibits real estate licensees from making unsolicited offers below fair market value for properties in declared disaster zones, with violations constituting a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $10,000 and six months imprisonment.

To facilitate communication during emergencies, the measure requires all licensees and applicants to provide email addresses to their respective regulatory boards. The provisions take effect immediately upon passage, with emergency-related waivers extending through declared disaster periods and up to one year afterward, subject to potential extensions based on ongoing needs.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Business and Professions
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Business and Professions
Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 1100
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB641 Ashby et al. Urgency Clause
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Hearing
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Public Safety]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Phillip ChenR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 30 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 6
Select All Legislators
Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Phillip ChenR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Marc BermanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sabrina CervantesD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Rebecca Bauer-KahanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Susan RubioD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jasmeet BainsD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Corey JacksonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Josh LowenthalD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Stephanie NguyenD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Angelique AshbyD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Steve PadillaD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Patrick AhrensD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Maggy KrellD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Alexandra MacedoR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Christopher CabaldonD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Sasha Renee PerezD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Sasha Renee Perez
Sasha Renee PerezD
California State Senator
Melissa Hurtado
Melissa HurtadoD
California State Senator
Tim Grayson
Tim GraysonD
California State Senator
Lena Gonzalez
Lena GonzalezD
California State Senator
Dave Cortese
Dave CorteseD
California State Senator
Sabrina Cervantes
Sabrina CervantesD
California State Senator
Angelique Ashby
Angelique AshbyD
California State Senator
Co-Authors
Aisha Wahab
Aisha WahabD
California State Senator
Susan Rubio
Susan RubioD
California State Senator
Steve Padilla
Steve PadillaD
California State Senator
Christopher Cabaldon
Christopher CabaldonD
California State Senator
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 (6/3/2025)

Latest Voting History

June 3, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
390140PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Authorizes state agencies to waive licensing requirements for professionals impacted by declared emergencies.
  • Requires contractors performing disaster debris removal to have specific licenses and hazardous material training.
  • Prohibits real estate agents from making below-market offers to property owners in disaster areas.
  • Mandates the Real Estate Commissioner to monitor and report fraudulent practices during emergencies.

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Sasha Renee Perez
Sasha Renee PerezD
California State Senator
Melissa Hurtado
Melissa HurtadoD
California State Senator
Tim Grayson
Tim GraysonD
California State Senator
Lena Gonzalez
Lena GonzalezD
California State Senator
Dave Cortese
Dave CorteseD
California State Senator
Sabrina Cervantes
Sabrina CervantesD
California State Senator
Angelique Ashby
Angelique AshbyD
California State Senator
Co-Authors
Aisha Wahab
Aisha WahabD
California State Senator
Susan Rubio
Susan RubioD
California State Senator
Steve Padilla
Steve PadillaD
California State Senator
Christopher Cabaldon
Christopher CabaldonD
California State Senator
Benjamin Allen
Benjamin AllenD
California State Senator

Summary

Senator Ashby's emergency response legislation grants California's Department of Real Estate and Department of Consumer Affairs boards new authority to modify licensing requirements during declared emergencies. The measure allows these agencies to waive examination deadlines, renewal periods, continuing education mandates, and certain fees for licensees and applicants affected by disasters.

The bill establishes specific parameters for debris removal operations during emergencies, limiting such work to contractors with designated license classifications and hazardous materials certifications. It requires the Real Estate Commissioner to monitor potential fraudulent practices targeting property owners in disaster areas and notify the public about identified schemes. The legislation also prohibits real estate licensees from making unsolicited offers below fair market value for properties in declared disaster zones, with violations constituting a misdemeanor punishable by fines up to $10,000 and six months imprisonment.

To facilitate communication during emergencies, the measure requires all licensees and applicants to provide email addresses to their respective regulatory boards. The provisions take effect immediately upon passage, with emergency-related waivers extending through declared disaster periods and up to one year afterward, subject to potential extensions based on ongoing needs.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/3/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Business and Professions
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Business and Professions
Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 1100
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB641 Ashby et al. Urgency Clause
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Public Safety Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Hearing
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Public Safety]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Latest Voting History

June 3, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
390140PASS

Contacts

Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Phillip ChenR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 30 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 6
Select All Legislators
Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Phillip ChenR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heath FloraR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tim GraysonD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Marc BermanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sabrina CervantesD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Rebecca Bauer-KahanD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Susan RubioD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Dave CorteseD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Matt HaneyD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Juan AlanisR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jasmeet BainsD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Corey JacksonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Josh LowenthalD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Stephanie NguyenD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Angelique AshbyD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Steve PadillaD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Patrick AhrensD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Maggy KrellD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Alexandra MacedoR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Christopher CabaldonD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Sasha Renee PerezD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member