CSLB approves officer slate, backs wildfire debris certification bill and raises reserve cap; votes on multiple bills

The Contractors State License Board on June 13 elected a new slate of officers, approved a substantive amendment to a board‑sponsored bill to raise CSLB's statutory reserve cap, and recorded positions on multiple pieces of legislation affecting licensing, enforcement and public contracting.

The board elected Miguel Galarza as chair, Allen Guy as vice chair and Rodney Cobos as secretary for the 2025–26 year. Chair Michael Mark, who presided over the election, described the transfers of office as routine and congratulated the slate after the roll-call votes.

The board approved a staff request to pursue a substantive amendment to SB 779 to increase CSLB's statutory reserve cap from the present roughly six months of authorized expenditures to 12 months. Chief of legislation Rebecca May told members the change would give CSLB “flexibility to proactively respond to emergencies and fulfill CSLB’s consumer protection mandate should license renewals decrease due to a recession or an economic downturn.” The board approved the amendment by roll call. Members discussed the tradeoffs of reserves versus hiring and agreed the change would reduce the possibility…