Disaster Response & Emergency Management

Requires cities to develop comprehensive wildfire retrofit strategies for high-risk areas by January 2026. Establishes a state clearinghouse of wildfire safety best practices and local policies by January 2027. Mandates regular updates to city safety plans to include new wildfire protection measures. Requires cities to map high-risk fire zones and create specific protection policies for these areas.

Exempts emergency railroad repairs along the LA-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor from coastal development permits. Requires agencies to notify the Coastal Commission within 14 days of starting emergency repair work. Applies only to repairs within one year of damage from natural disasters or earth movement. Prohibits exemptions for expanding rail facilities or constructing new shoreline structures.

Establishes a new certification program for employee-owned construction contractors starting January 2027. Provides bid preferences of 2-4% for certified contractors based on their employee ownership percentage. Grants an additional 1% bid preference to certified contractors with unionized employees. Creates a state hub to support and promote employee-owned businesses through education and resources.

Undeveloped "intent bill" that aims to streamline business certification processes in California. Proposes training requirements to help entrepreneurs operate successful small businesses.

Establishes a new system to prioritize major highway projects that enhance climate resilience across multiple counties. Requires Caltrans to create an annual list of priority infrastructure projects by July 2026. Prioritizes projects that improve safety, goods movement, and protection against extreme weather events. Mandates annual legislative reports starting January 2027 to track progress on climate-resilient infrastructure.

Extends the California Competes Grant Program for job creation and business investment through January 2031. Maintains GO-Biz's authority to provide economic development grants for an additional year. Requires no new funding appropriations to extend the existing grant program.

Prohibits credit agencies from reporting property sales forced by natural disasters that made homes uninhabitable. Prevents lenders from using disaster-related property sales as a negative factor in credit decisions. Expands existing credit reporting protections that already cover medical debt and certain legal matters.

Requires state and local agencies to develop disaster recovery frameworks for catastrophic events by January 2027. Mandates incorporation of six key recovery areas including housing, infrastructure, and economic recovery. Provides technical assistance and federal grant funding to offset framework development costs. Takes immediate effect to enhance California's preparedness for wildfires, earthquakes, and floods.

Establishes a new Firefighting Mutual Aid Program to coordinate emergency response between fire agencies. Creates a reimbursement system for fire agencies that provide mutual aid during emergencies. Supports the sharing of fire engines and equipment between local departments during emergencies. Funds additional firefighting resources including mobile water systems and protective equipment.

Makes technical changes to provisions regarding the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

Requires state emergency officials to conduct disaster simulation exercises every two years with key agencies. Mandates annual disaster preparedness training in vulnerable communities across California. Establishes testing requirements for local emergency alert systems, prioritizing high-risk areas. Requires the use of federal grants to offset costs for state and local government participation.

Establishes a system for fire-impacted property owners in Los Angeles County to notify qualified buyers of intent to sell. Requires Los Angeles County to maintain a public list of approved nonprofit and government property buyers. Aims to prevent community displacement by prioritizing sales to organizations focused on affordable housing. Expires six years after the end of the declared emergency period for the 2025 Eaton and Palisades Fires.

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.

Expands California emergency declaration powers to include landslides as a qualifying disaster condition. Authorizes both state and local governments to declare emergencies in response to landslide events. Preserves existing utility cost recovery mechanisms during landslide-related emergency declarations.

Establishes a new grant program to help small businesses prevent and recover from retail theft. Requires the Office of Small Business Advocate to manage the grant program and distribute funds. Mandates consultation with local, state, and federal entities to support small business needs. Requires legislative funding approval before grants can be distributed to small businesses.

Authorizes voters to impose transportation taxes through ballot initiatives in eligible districts. Limits initiative tax rates to match maximum rates set by district governing bodies. Requires initiatives to include spending limits and a transportation expenditure plan. Mandates state reimbursement to local agencies for any new administrative costs.

Requires California emergency services to develop training for recognizing foreign government harassment by July 2026. Mandates law enforcement training on digital surveillance tactics and cyber tools used in transnational repression. Establishes protocols to protect diaspora communities from intimidation by foreign governments. Requires regular updates to address emerging threats and tactics used by specific foreign governments.

Makes technical changes to provisions describing the duties of the Small Business Advocate.

Establishes California Alert, a new statewide emergency alert system that works with federal wireless alerts. Requires the state to contract with private vendors to send alerts to registered non-location-based phones. Maintains local governments as primary emergency alert issuers with California Alert serving as backup. Mandates new standards for sending emergency alerts across different jurisdictional boundaries.

Authorizes nonprofit contractors to modify service delivery methods during state emergencies with agency approval. Requires nonprofits to document and justify all expenses related to program closures or service reductions. Guarantees state funding for contracted services even when programs are canceled or reduced during emergencies. Allows nonprofits to request contract flexibility during non-emergency disruptions subject to agency approval.

Triples the maximum payment to glass manufacturers using recycled materials from $50 to $150 per ton through 2030. Authorizes $60 million annually for glass recycling payments through 2027, then reduces to $20 million through 2030. Aims to help California glass makers compete with foreign manufacturers while promoting environmental sustainability. Requires recycled glass to be collected and processed within California to qualify for payments.

Prohibits unsolicited offers to buy residential properties in Los Angeles County areas affected by 2025 wildfires. Requires buyers and sellers to sign an attestation confirming the offer was not unsolicited before title transfer. Authorizes sellers to cancel violating contracts within 4 months and imposes fines up to $25,000 per violation. Expires on January 1, 2027 and applies only to specific Los Angeles County ZIP codes affected by fires.

Streamlines rebuilding permits for disaster-damaged homes by requiring 10-day approval timelines. Exempts disaster rebuilding projects from solar panel installation requirements. Requires utilities to provide connection approval steps within 30 days of permit requests. Mandates local agencies to publish permit tracking dashboards and rebuilding guidelines by 2028.

Establishes a program for investors to purchase securities that fund property stabilization in disaster areas. Requires investment entities to purchase and manage damaged residential properties for up to 10 years. Creates a continuously appropriated Community Stabilization Fund managed by the state Infrastructure Bank. Allows qualified investors to defer up to 30% of capital gains for 10 years on their investments.

Authorizes the state to negotiate bulk purchases of construction materials for rebuilding after natural disasters. Requires materials to be sold at cost to homeowners and contractors in disaster-affected areas. Prioritizes sustainable and locally sourced building materials when possible. Expires on January 1, 2031 unless extended by future legislation.