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Contractors State License Board details wildfire response: debris removal, hazardous‑substance certification and enforcement stings
Summary
The Contractors State License Board reviewed ongoing wildfire recovery operations in Southern California on June 13, emphasizing a public list of eligible debris‑removal contractors, prioritization of hazardous‑substance certification, enforcement sweeps and planned undercover operations.
The Contractors State License Board reviewed ongoing disaster recovery work in Southern California on June 13, describing outreach to affected homeowners, a contractor eligibility list for debris removal, prioritization of hazardous‑substance certifications, and stepped‑up enforcement operations.
Board staff said the board helped produce a publicly accessible list of roughly 100 contractors eligible to perform debris removal and translated informational materials into five languages to reach more residents. "We were able to get about 100 of them that were listed on our website for owners to go to and to find their contractor for their debris," said Catherine White, chief of public affairs (as identified in the registrar's staff list). The board also ran Spanish and English webinars on debris removal and updated an assessment and help‑center webpage with current information.
Chief of licensing Carol Gagnon (listed in staff introductions) described administrative steps to help licensees retain or obtain required credentials after the fires. The governor issued an executive order allowing licensees in affected ZIP codes to defer renewal fees for one year; 64 licensees had taken advantage of that deferral as of the meeting. Gagnon said the board prioritized processing of hazardous‑substance removal certification applications required by Los Angeles County; 265 people had applied for that certification and 72 had completed it so far, far above the program's normal monthly volume.
Steve Grove, chief of enforcement, described field operations and a focus on deterrence: "We've been out there sweeping both fire areas twice a week," he said, and reported, "we've actually only found 3 unlicensed contractors since March when we started doing this." Grove said the board posts warning signs in disaster areas, conducts joint sweeps with local district attorney investigators and labor enforcement partners, staffed disaster recovery centers through April, and plans undercover sting operations in coordination with the LA County District Attorney's Office.
On legislation, staff reiterated that the board previously voted to support SB 641. Rebecca May, chief of legislation, summarized the bill's key provisions: limited debris removal to licensees holding specific classifications (A, B, C12, C21) who also pass the hazardous‑substance certification exam and comply with HAZWOPER requirements; the registrar may authorize additional classifications during a state of emergency on a case‑by‑case basis and require additional certification if needed. May said SB 641 contains an urgency clause, meaning it would take effect immediately upon the governor's signature.
Board members and staff emphasized the goal of minimizing consumer complaints and deterring predatory or unlicensed contractors during recovery and rebuilding. Enforcement staff said operations are transitioning from debris removal to permitting and rebuilding oversight as rebuild permits are issued.
The board did not take a new formal vote on policy during this portion of the meeting; staff updates and the board's continued support for SB 641 were described as follow‑up and operational reporting to the board.
