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DCA tells SLP board about wildfire fee relief, proposed housing reorganization and Form 700 filing change
Summary
Melissa Geer of the Department of Consumer Affairs updated the board on Gov. Newsom’s executive order providing fee deferrals for licensees in wildfire‑impacted ZIP codes, a proposed state reorganization to create a consumer protection agency, and a change requiring board members to file Form 700s via the FPPC portal.
Melissa Geer, deputy director for board and bureau relations at the California Department of Consumer Affairs, briefed the Speech‑Language Pathology, Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board on state actions and resources on Feb. 21.
Geer said Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N‑15‑25, which provides temporary relief for licensees in ZIP codes affected by recent Los Angeles‑area wildfires. Under the executive order as described to the board, licenses with expiration dates between Jan. 1 and July 1, 2025, for affected addresses will receive a one‑year postponement of renewal fee payment; duplicate or replacement licenses/wall certificates will be furnished free of charge until Jan. 7, 2026; and delinquency fees for impacted licensees are suspended through July 1, 2025. DCA is providing outreach materials and a disaster help center webpage (dca.ca.gov) and a dedicated toll‑free number and email for survivors.
Geer also summarized items in the governor’s proposed 2025‑26 budget relevant to DCA, including eight budget change proposals for boards and bureaus and a reorganization proposal to combine consumer protection entities into a dedicated California consumer protection agency within the governor’s cabinet. She said the proposed reorganization will be reviewed by the Little Hoover Commission and the Legislature in the spring and that the department will keep boards apprised as the process develops.
Geer told the board that AB 1170 (signed by the governor) requires board members to file Form 700 conflict‑of‑interest statements electronically through the Fair Political Practices Commission’s portal; paper filing and the older NetFile portal are no longer options. She reminded members the 2025 annual Form 700 deadline is April 1 and provided the FPPC contact information via DCA channels.
Geer closed with administrative reminders: speakers for board orientation (BMOT) are scheduled March 26, June 18 and Oct. 22, 2025 (virtual), and DCA continues to work with the governor’s office on filling board vacancies. She expressed appreciation for board service and invited questions; none were received from the public during the meeting.
