AB 1531: Office of Emergency Services: comprehensive wildfire mitigation program.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law, the Joint Exercise of Powers Act, authorizes 2 or more public agencies, if authorized by their legislative or other governing bodies, to enter into an agreement to jointly exercise any power common to the contracting parties, as provided. That act requires, among other things, that the agreement state the purpose of agreement or power to be exercised and provide for the method by which the purpose will be accomplished or the manner in which the power will be exercised.

Existing law, operative until July 1, 2029, requires the Office of Emergency Services to enter into a joint powers agreement with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to develop and administer a comprehensive wildfire mitigation program to, among other things, encourage cost-effective structure hardening and retrofitting to create fire-resistant homes, businesses, and public buildings. That law requires the joint powers authority to develop eligibility criteria for property owners, community organizations, and local governments that may receive financial assistance under the wildfire mitigation program.

This bill would require, on or before July 1, 2026, the Department of Insurance to be added as an ex officio nonvoting member to the California Wildfire Mitigation Program Board created pursuant to the joint powers agreement.

Sponsors

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. October 1, 2025Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 204, Statutes of 2025.
2. October 1, 2025Approved by the Governor.
3. September 22, 2025Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
4. September 10, 2025Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 3185.).
5. September 8, 2025In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
6. September 8, 2025Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 2626.).
7. September 4, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
8. September 3, 2025Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
9. September 3, 2025Ordered to third reading.
10. September 3, 2025From special consent calendar.
11. September 2, 2025Ordered to special consent calendar.
12. August 29, 2025Read second time. Ordered to third reading.