California · 2025–26 Regular Session · Assembly Bill
AB 438: Authorized emergency vehicles.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
AB 438 is a assembly bill introduced in the California Assembly on February 6, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: Authorized emergency vehicles. Primary sponsor: Heather Hadwick (R). Most recent recorded action (October 1, 2025): Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 152, Statutes of 2025.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.
Existing law authorizes the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol to issue authorized emergency vehicle permits for certain vehicles, including any vehicle owned and operated by a public utility and any vehicle owned and operated by a fire company, as specified, upon a finding that the vehicle is used in responding to emergency calls for fire or law enforcement, the immediate preservation of life or property, or the apprehension of law violators.
This bill would authorize the commissioner to issue an emergency vehicle permit to any vehicle owned by a county, city, or city and county office of emergency services only while that vehicle is being used by a public employee who is employed by the office in responding to any disaster.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heather Hadwick | Primary sponsor | Republican | Assembly | 1 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 152, Statutes of 2025.
- Approved by the Governor.
- Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
- Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 2902.).
- In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2412.).
- Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
- From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.
- From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 10). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
- From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on TRANS.
- Referred to Com. on TRANS.
- In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.