(1) Existing law requires the Office of Emergency Services to enter into a joint powers agreement, as specified, with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to develop and administer a comprehensive wildfire mitigation program, known as the California wildfire mitigation financial assistance program, that, among other things, encourages cost-effective structure hardening and retrofitting that creates fire-resistant homes, businesses, and public buildings.

This bill would require the joint powers authority to consider revising the wildfire mitigation program in accordance with prescribed community hardening standards and guidelines developed pursuant to the bill’s provisions, as specified below.

(2) Existing law establishes the Department of Insurance, headed by the Insurance Commissioner, which regulates insurers and insurance practices. Existing law generally regulates classes of insurance, including fire insurance.

This bill would also require the Insurance Commissioner, beginning January 1, 2026, and at least quarterly thereafter, to convene the commission to perform specified duties, including developing new wildfire community hardening standards to reduce fire risk and improve access to fire insurance. The bill would require the commission to make certain recommendations to the Insurance Commissioner, the Office of Emergency Services, and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in accordance with specified standards. The bill would require the commission to consult with specified stakeholders, including those from public safety districts and the insurance industry, in performing the duties described above.

The bill would require the commission, on or before July 1, 2027, to complete the new standards described above and submit a report to the Legislature on additional actions needed to support cities, counties, and members of those communities in home hardening and wildfire mitigation. The bill would also require the commission to periodically review and update those standards, as specified. The bill would further authorize the commission to take various other related actions, including entering into confidential data sharing agreements and coordinating with the relevant legislative committees to secure documentation or specified information.

This bill would also require the Department of Insurance, on or before July 1, 2027, in consultation with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Office of Emergency Services, and the commission, to develop guidelines for state and local agencies to aggregate and make available data related to wildfire risk for purposes of a data sharing platform.

(3) Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest.

This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.