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<ns0:ActionText>INTRODUCED</ns0:ActionText>
<ns0:ActionDate>2026-02-20</ns0:ActionDate>
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<ns0:SessionYear>2025</ns0:SessionYear>
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<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Committee on Emergency Management (Assembly Members Ransom (Chair), Bains, Bennett, and Calderon)</ns0:AuthorText>
<ns0:Authors>
<ns0:Committee>
<ns0:Contribution>LEAD_AUTHOR</ns0:Contribution>
<ns0:House>ASSEMBLY</ns0:House>
<ns0:Name>Committee on Emergency Management</ns0:Name>
<ns0:Members>Assembly Members Ransom (Chair), Bains, Bennett, and Calderon</ns0:Members>
</ns0:Committee>
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<ns0:Title> An act to amend Sections 8589.71, 8589.72, and 8589.75 of the Government Code, relating to emergency services. </ns0:Title>
<ns0:RelatingClause>emergency services</ns0:RelatingClause>
<ns0:GeneralSubject>
<ns0:Subject>Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission.</ns0:Subject>
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<ns0:DigestText>
<html:p>Existing law, the California Emergency Services Act, establishes the Office of Emergency Services within the Governor’s office under the supervision of the Director of Emergency Services and makes the office responsible for the state’s emergency and disaster response services for natural, technological, or manmade disasters and emergencies. Existing law establishes the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission in the Office of Emergency Services, which consists of 15 members, 10 of whom are appointed by the Governor, one member appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, one member appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, and 3 members who are representatives of specified state agencies. Existing law requires at least 8 members to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any commission meeting, as specified. Existing law requires the commission to, at a minimum, work with
specified entities to, among other things, identify key activities and responsibilities related to seismic safety. Existing law, until January 1, 2030, authorizes the commission to coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of Emergency Services to, among other things, research other potential sources of funding for seismic mitigation activities.</html:p>
<html:p>This bill would additionally provide for the appointment of 3 members who are representatives of the State Fire Marshal, Department of Insurance, and Strategic Growth Council, and would reduce the number of members appointed by the Governor to 9 members, as specified. The bill would instead require at least 9 members to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any commission meeting, as specified. The bill would additionally require the commission to, at a minimum, work with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Department of Insurance, and Strategic Growth Council to, among
other things, identify key activities and responsibilities related to seismic safety. The bill would additionally authorize the commission, until January 1, 2030, to coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of Emergency Services to make policy recommendations to the Legislature, as specified.</html:p>
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<ns0:Preamble>The people of the State of California do enact as follows:</ns0:Preamble>
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<ns0:Num>SECTION 1.</ns0:Num>
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Section 8589.71 of the
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is amended to read:
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<ns0:Num>8589.71.</ns0:Num>
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<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
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There is in the Office of Emergency Services the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission that consists of 17 members, 9 of whom shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate, and includes representatives from the professional fields identified in subdivision (d).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Any reference in statute or regulation to the Seismic
Safety Commission shall be deemed to refer to the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Senate Committee on Rules and the Speaker of the Assembly shall each appoint one member. Each of the members appointed pursuant to this subdivision may designate an alternate who shall be counted toward a quorum, who may vote, and who may receive expenses specified in Section 8589.73.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
One member shall be a representative from the Office of Emergency Services, one member shall be a representative from the Division of the State Architect in the Department of General Services, one member shall be a representative of the State Fire Marshal, one member shall be a representative of the Department of Insurance, one member shall be a representative of the Strategic Growth Council,
and one member shall be a representative from the California Building Standards Commission. These members shall annually update the commission on their seismic safety activities pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 8589.75.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Nine members shall represent the fields of structural engineering, planning, fire protection, public or investor owned utilities, insurance, social services, emergency services, and other local government areas that serve the public interest.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
At least four members shall be submitted by the League
of California Cities and the California State Association of Counties.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(3)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
At least one of these members shall be a building official and one of these shall be from a local fire protection entity.
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<html:p>
(A)
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These members may be submitted pursuant to paragraph (2) or from professional fields in paragraph (1).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(e)
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Notwithstanding any other provision of law, while the current membership of the commission is reduced to 15, the following shall occur:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Appointments made prior to July 1, 2020, that are from established organizations outside the fields identified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) shall remain on the commission until the current term expires.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(f)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Legislature declares that the
individuals appointed to the commission are intended to represent the professions of structural engineering, planning, fire protection, public utilities, local government, insurance, social services, emergency services, and the Legislature and that this representation serves the public interest. Accordingly, the Legislature finds that for purposes of persons who hold this office, the specified professions are tantamount to and constitute the public generally within the meaning of Section 87103.
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<html:p>
(g)
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Each member of the commission shall be appointed for a term of four years. Vacancies occurring on the commission shall be filled by appointment of the appointing power for the unexpired term.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(h)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The appointing power may remove any member of the commission for neglect of duty required by this article, incompetency, or unprofessional conduct.
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 2.</ns0:Num>
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Section 8589.72 of the
<ns0:DocName>Government Code</ns0:DocName>
is amended to read:
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<ns0:Num>8589.72.</ns0:Num>
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<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The commission shall elect annually from its membership its own chairperson and vice chairperson and may replace them with other commissioners by majority vote. Commission members shall be residents of California.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The commission shall hold at least three regular meetings each year. Additional meetings may be held upon call of the chairperson or at the written request of any two members of the commission.
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<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Notice of each regular meeting of the commission shall be given in accordance with the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
At least
nine members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any commission meeting if there are no vacancies, or else a majority of the appointed members of the commission at the time.
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 3.</ns0:Num>
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Section 8589.75 of the
<ns0:DocName>Government Code</ns0:DocName>
, as amended by Section 1 of Chapter 212 of the Statutes of 2024, is amended to read:
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<ns0:Num>8589.75.</ns0:Num>
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<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The commission exists as a separate unit within the Office of Emergency Services, and may recommend policies, hold meetings, hold hearings, set dates of the meetings or hearings, and positions on proposed state and federal legislation. The commission shall retain authority to issue reports, publications, and literature.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
At a minimum, the commission shall report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on its findings, progress, and recommendations related to activities of the commission and the state toward higher levels of seismic safety and any other seismic safety issues.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Legislature finds that numerous agencies at various levels of government have
substantial responsibilities in the fields of earthquake preparedness and seismic safety. To provide a consistent policy framework to track and monitor those activities, the commission shall, at a minimum, work with agencies that include, but are not limited to, the entities listed in subparagraphs (A) to (L), inclusive, to identify key activities and responsibilities related to seismic safety and develop a schedule to provide periodic updates to the commission on their activities. This information shall be summarized in the report required in paragraph (1) and include information to find additional information related to these activities therein:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Department of Conservation, California Geological Survey.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
California Earthquake Authority.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Department of Transportation.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(E)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(F)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Public Utilities Commission.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(G)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(H)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
University of California.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(I)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The California State University.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(J)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Office of the State Fire Marshal.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(K)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Department of Insurance.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(L)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Strategic Growth Council.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The commission may coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Office of Emergency Services to do any of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Develop a list of all fire stations in California and each station’s status in meeting the standards of the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 (Article 1 (commencing with Section 16000) of Chapter 2 of Division
12.5 of the Health and Safety Code) to determine which stations are adequately designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces generated by earthquakes, gravity, and winds.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Collect data on the implementation of earthquake early warning technology in all fire stations in California and their interest in implementing that technology.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Research other potential sources of funding for seismic mitigation activities.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Make policy recommendations to the Legislature to mitigate the risks of both of the following:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(i)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Fires following major
earthquakes in urban areas including, but not limited to, alternative water suppression systems.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(ii)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Disruptions to fuel, gas, electrical, water, transportation, communications, and other lifeline infrastructure systems due to major earthquakes.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
By January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the commission shall provide a report to the Assembly and Senate Committees on Emergency Management describing the
commission’s actions, conclusions, and policy recommendations pursuant to paragraph (1).
</html:p>
<html:p>
(d)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.
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<ns0:Num>SEC. 4.</ns0:Num>
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Section 8589.75 of the
<ns0:DocName>Government Code</ns0:DocName>
, as added by Section 2 of Chapter 212 of the Statutes of 2024, is amended to read:
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<ns0:Num>8589.75.</ns0:Num>
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<html:p>
(a)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The commission exists as a separate unit within the Office of Emergency Services, and may recommend policies, hold meetings, hold hearings, set dates of the meetings or hearings, and positions on proposed state and federal legislation. The commission shall retain authority to issue reports, publications, and literature.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(b)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
(1)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
At a minimum, the commission shall report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on its findings, progress, and recommendations related to activities of the commission and the state toward higher levels of seismic safety and any other seismic safety issues.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(2)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The Legislature finds that numerous agencies at various levels of government have
substantial responsibilities in the fields of earthquake preparedness and seismic safety. To provide a consistent policy framework to track and monitor those activities, the commission shall, at a minimum, work with agencies that include, but are not limited to, the entities listed in subparagraphs (A) to (L), inclusive, to identify key activities and responsibilities related to seismic safety and develop a schedule to provide periodic updates to the commission on their activities. This information shall be summarized in the report required in paragraph (1) and include information to find additional information related to these activities therein:
</html:p>
<html:p>
(A)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Department of Conservation, California Geological Survey.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(B)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
California Earthquake Authority.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(C)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(D)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Department of Transportation.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(E)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(F)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Public Utilities Commission.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(G)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(H)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
University of California.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(I)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
The California State University.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(J)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Office of the State Fire Marshal.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(K)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Department of Insurance.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(L)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
Strategic Growth Council.
</html:p>
<html:p>
(c)
<html:span class="EnSpace"/>
This section shall become operative on January 1, 2030.
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