Cal Cities-sponsored disaster recovery and wildfire preparedness bills advance in the Legislature

By Melissa Sparks-Kranz, legislative advocate, and Brian Hendershot, Cal Cities Advocate managing editor

City leaders testified in the Legislature this week in support of two bills that would help cities prepare for wildfires and recover from disasters.

On Monday, lawmakers heard AB 262 (Caloza) in the Assembly Emergency Management Committee. The measure would create an assistance program under the Office of Emergency Services to support communities affected by disasters. One of the bill's primary considerations is to ensure Californians can receive state disaster aid if federal assistance is unavailable.

During the hearing, Rio Dell Mayor Debra Garnes shared how a 6.4 magnitude earthquake devastated her town. "The damage impacted 25% of homes, interrupted water, power, and communication services," she said. "Despite the immense impact, this event wasn't declared a federal disaster. AB 262 recognizes that communities need help with both infrastructure damages and individual recovery when federal assistance isn't available."

The author added clarifying amendments that would allow CalOES to prioritize state funding for affected public facilities and infrastructure that do not qualify for federal aid. Legislators passed the bill on party lines, with some affirming the need for disaster recovery assistance while also expressing concerns about funding availability. AB 262 now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Then on Tuesday, La Verne Fire Chief Chris Nigg spoke in support of AB 846 (Connolly) in the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee. The Cal Cities-sponsored measure would streamline the California Department of Fish and Wildlife permitting process for vegetation management projects in fire-prone areas.

"Professional fire departments throughout our state are charged with ensuring wildfire-vulnerable lands adjacent to our communities are proactively cleared in order to reduce the impact of wildfire to life and property," he said. "AB 846 would help our jurisdictions by better defining the process of obtaining the necessary permits we may need to move our fuel management projects forward."

The state has already streamlined permitting for vegetation projects in areas it manages. Local agencies do not have this option and have experienced long delays spanning multiple fire seasons when trying to speed up similar projects in their efforts to reduce fire risk.

Cal Cities sponsored a similar measure in 2024, which Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed due to its costs. This new version seeks to address those concerns while ensuring that cities can more quickly clear flammable vegetation to prevent future wildfires.

Legislators passed AB 846 unanimously out of its first policy committee. It now heads to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.

Lawmakers will break on April 10 for Spring Recess and return to the Capitol on April 21 - two days before Cal Cities' marque advocacy event in Sacramento. To learn how you can make your voice heard, contact your regional public affairs manager.