Assembly committee advances package of emergency, disaster and public‑safety bills

A California Assembly committee on an unspecified date advanced a package of bills intended to strengthen emergency response, disaster recovery and public safety across the state, moving nine measures to the next stop in the legislative process.

The measures, introduced by multiple Assemblymembers, would: require emergency medical dispatch training for 9‑1‑1 dispatchers (AB 645); direct the State Fire Marshal to adopt hydrogen fire‑safety model code and appoint an expert (AB 716); allow the Department of General Services to negotiate contracts for discounted construction materials for declared disaster recovery (AB 783); add public works personnel and resources to mutual aid plans (AB 591); require biannual statewide scenario exercises and create a State Lifelines Council (AB 1200); set a five‑year review cycle for high fire hazard severity zone maps (AB 300); expand the definition of state and local emergencies to include landslides and climate‑exacerbated preexisting conditions (AB 986); require local pet rescue and reunification procedures in mandatory evacuation plans and extend reclamation time for rescued pets (AB 478); and encourage or authorize standardized, vendor‑neutral digital school maps for first responders (AB 598).

Why it matters: Committee members said the bills address gaps in current emergency planning and public safety practice that affect response times, equity in services and the ability of local governments to recover quickly after disasters. Supporters testified the proposals could save lives (dispatch training and mapping), make recovery faster and less expensive (materials contracts and public works mutual aid), and improve public safety and local capacity (hydrogen standards, hazard mapping and statewide exercises). Concerns raised by members centered on implementation costs, limits on local discretion and the breadth of some statutory language, particularly the proposed expansion of the definition of an emergency.

Key points from hearings

AB 645 (emergency medical dispatch training): Assemblymember Carrillo presented AB 645, which would require dispatchers who handle medical calls to complete Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) training. Support witnesses included Ramesh Sahi of NorCal Ambulance and Rob Lawrence, executive director of the California Ambulance Association, who said EMD protocols enable dispatchers to give pre‑arrival instructions that increase bystander CPR and other lifesaving interventions. Carrillo said the bill would establish a statewide minimum so a caller’s chance of receiving lifesaving instructions does not “depend on where they live.” Committee members asked about rural access to training; witnesses said commonly used EMD certification can be completed via a 24‑hour course that is available online.

AB 716 (hydrogen fire safety standards): Carrillo said AB 716 would require the State Fire Marshal to adopt the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Hydrogen Technologies Code as a model and to appoint a hydrogen fire safety expert to provide training and assistance to local governments. Rosanna Carvacho Elliott of the California Hydrogen Coalition told the committee that hydrogen’s properties (lighter‑than‑air, low ignition temperature) require specialized guidance and that model statewide standards would help local jurisdictions and industry.

AB 783 (disaster materials procurement): Assemblymember Colosa (presenting) said AB 783 would authorize the Department of General Services to negotiate contracts for construction materials commonly used in residential structures after declared disasters, offering price discounts, rebates or minimal administrative fees to homeowners, contractors, nonprofits and local governments in disaster areas. Supporters including the Housing Action Coalition said higher material costs and tariffs have increased rebuilding expenses and that the bill could speed recovery and lower costs for displaced residents.

AB 591 (public works mutual aid): Colosa described AB 591 as a measure to formally bring public works personnel, equipment and materials into the state mutual aid framework and direct Cal OES to create a public works mutual aid plan. Supporters said public works crews are often the critical first responders in recovery (clearing debris, repairing infrastructure) and that coordinated agreements speed the recovery process.

AB 1200 (tabletop exercises, State Lifelines Council, CERT coordination): Colosa said AB 1200 would direct the Office of Emergency Services (OES) to convene biennial scenario‑based tabletop exercises involving government and private partners, create a State Lifelines Council to prioritize investments in critical infrastructure (led by a set of agencies), and coordinate annual neighborhood‑level exercises with community emergency response teams (CERT). Members discussed expanding tabletop drills into larger full‑scale exercises as the bill moves through committees.

AB 300 (fire hazard severity map schedule): Assemblymember Lackey presented AB 300, which would require the State Fire Marshal to review areas designated high fire hazard severity zones on a five‑year schedule (committee amendments restored a five‑year timeline after an earlier eight‑year proposal). Julie Malinowski Ball of the California Fire Chiefs Association said more frequent updates would reflect fast‑changing conditions affecting evacuation planning and insurance.

AB 986 (landslides and climate‑exacerbated preexisting conditions): Assemblymember Marisucci said AB 986 would add landslides and preexisting conditions worsened by climate change to the types of incidents that may qualify as a state or local emergency. Mayor Dave Bradley of Rancho Palos Verdes and other local officials described extensive, ongoing land movement in parts of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and urged recognition that slow‑moving but accelerating landslides have produced severe damages and substantial local costs. Committee members supported the intent but requested clearer thresholds and guardrails so the expanded definition of “emergency” would not be applied too broadly.

AB 478 (pet rescue and reunification): An author presenting AB 478 said the bill would require jurisdictions, on their next emergency plan update, to include procedures for rescuing pets from mandatory evacuation zones, online resources on pet evacuation/reunification, and an extended period (the bill proposes 90 days) before rescued animals may be adopted, transferred or euthanized. Mayor Lana Negrete and representatives of animal advocacy groups testified in support. Members discussed the strain on local animal shelters and asked for flexibility and possible changes to the proposed reclamation period and transfer rules.

AB 598 (school mapping technology for first responders): Assemblymember Gibson presented AB 598 to authorize local education agencies to contract for standardized, verified digital campus maps that integrate with first‑responder platforms. Sponsor testimony said verified maps (room‑level and route‑level) can reduce response times and that the bill is vendor‑neutral and sets cybersecurity standards. The 9‑1‑1 dispatch association requested an amendment to ensure the Office of Emergency Services coordinates with the 9‑1‑1 advisory board; the author indicated willingness to discuss that concern. Committee members also raised cost and equity concerns for very rural districts.

Votes at a glance (committee action)

- AB 645 (Carrillo): motion passed to the committee on appropriations (committee recorded ayes by multiple members and left roll open). Supporters argued the measure would save lives by standardizing EMD training statewide. - AB 716 (Carrillo): motion passed to the committee on utilities and energy. - AB 783 (Colosa): motion passed as amended to the committee on appropriations. - AB 591 (Colosa): motion passed to the committee on appropriations. - AB 1200 (Colosa): motion passed to the committee on appropriations. - AB 300 (Lackey): motion passed as amended to the committee on appropriations (committee amended review schedule to five years). - AB 986 (Marisucci): motion passed to the committee on appropriations (members asked the author to consider thresholds and guardrails). - AB 478 (presenting member identified in transcript as Z‑member): motion passed to the committee on appropriations; members signaled support while requesting follow‑up on shelter capacity and transfer/euthanasia timelines. - AB 598 (Gibson): motion passed to the committee on appropriations; committee signaled support and requested further coordination with the 9‑1‑1 advisory board and consideration of funding/equity for rural districts.

What was asked of authors and next steps

Committee members repeatedly asked authors to work with implementing agencies and affected local governments to clarify costs, guardrails and implementation details (for example: training delivery options for rural dispatch centers under AB 645; what the State Fire Marshal and local fire agencies will require under AB 716; the schedule and methodology for five‑year hazard map reviews under AB 300; and thresholds for declaring emergencies in AB 986). Several bills were advanced with “due pass” recommendations and will next be considered by the Assembly Appropriations Committee (or Utilities and Energy for AB 716). Authors were asked to return with technical amendments as bills proceed.

A few direct statements from testimony

Assemblymember Carrillo on AB 645: "We owe it to Californians to ensure those voices are trained and equipped to save lives."

Rob Lawrence, California Ambulance Association: "Lifesaving begins on the phone."

Ending

The committee left several roll calls open before recessing; members said they would add late votes. Committee staff and authors were directed to work with stakeholders on technical fixes, funding questions and implementation details before the bills return to full appropriations or the next substantive committee. The measures together reflect a push by legislators to address responder capacity, preparedness exercises, infrastructure planning and practical items that affect survival and recovery during disasters.