EPRC votes to ask council to revisit its position on AB 25 17

The Emergency Preparedness & Response Committee on April 7 voted to recommend that the Los Altos Hills City Council revisit its earlier split vote and consider supporting AB 25 17, a state bill that would require expanded public education, a written comment process and a five‑year review cycle for fire hazard severity maps.

Chair Harter (Speaker 2) framed the motion, saying the bill “gives us more time to review” preliminary designations and provides mechanisms for written and oral public comment before maps are finalized. Harter asked whether the committee should advise council to reconsider the town’s prior position because the bill would provide more structured public notification and require the state to post data inputs and methodology used to generate preliminary designations.

Committee members debated whether specific council objections (concern that the bill does not prohibit local increases in severity designations for multi‑zone parcels) warranted opposing the bill. Some members noted the bill is still in committee and could be amended as it moves forward.

After discussion the committee approved a motion to forward a recommendation that the council revisit its previous action and consider supporting AB 25 17 because it requires earlier public outreach and five‑year reviews of maps. The motion passed by roll call; one member was recorded absent for the vote and the motion was carried by the members present.

The committee asked staff to send the recommended language to the acting city manager for transmittal to council.