AB 719
County emergency plans.
Vote required
Majority
Fiscal committee
No
Appropriation
No
Current location
Emergency Management
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill requires California counties to regularly review and update their emergency plans, specifically mandating a review and update at least every two years. The Office of Emergency Services will develop best practices for county emergency planning and establish a process for reviewing county plans. The bill also clarifies that if the bill creates state-mandated costs, local agencies will be reimbursed according to state law.
Key provisions
- Counties must review and update their emergency plans every two years.
- The Office of Emergency Services will develop best practices for county emergency plans.
- The Office of Emergency Services will establish a process for reviewing county emergency plans.
- The review process will assess plan consistency, protection of vulnerable populations, and emergency alerting/evacuation procedures.
- The bill clarifies that state-mandated costs will be reimbursed to local agencies.
Who is affected
- Counties in California
- Local government officials
- Emergency management agencies
- Residents of California
Notable changes
- Replaces the previous requirement for reviewing plans by January 1, 2022.
- Establishes a regular review cycle (every two years).
Fiscal impact
The bill includes a provision for state reimbursement to local agencies for any state-mandated costs associated with implementing the new requirements.
Arguments in favor
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AB719:v99#DOCUMENT
Bill Start
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 719
| Introduced by Assembly Member Calderon |
| February 14, 2025 |
An act to amend Section 8593.9 of the Government Code, relating to emergency services.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 719, as introduced, Calderon. County emergency plans.
Existing law, the California Emergency Services Act, among other things, creates the Office of Emergency Services, which is responsible for the state’s emergency and disaster response services, as specified. Existing law requires the Governor to coordinate the State Emergency Plan and the preparation of plans and programs for the mitigation of the effects of an emergency by the political subdivisions of this state. Existing law defines the terms “political subdivision” and “emergency plans” for purposes of emergency services provided by local governments. Existing law requires the governing body of each political subdivision of the state to carry out the provisions of the State Emergency Plan. Existing law requires the office to establish best practices for counties developing and updating a county emergency plan and a process for a county to request that the office review a county’s emergency plan by January 1, 2022.
This bill would require each county to review and update its emergency plan at least every 2 years. Because the bill would require local officials to perform additional duties, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would remove the January 1, 2022, date specified above, and would remove another reference to that date.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES
Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 8593.9 of the Government Code is amended to read:
8593.9.
(a) Each county shall review and update its emergency plan at least every two years.
(a)
(b) The Office of Emergency Services shall, by January 1, 2022, shall develop best practices for counties developing and updating a county emergency plan.
(b)
(c) The Office of Emergency Services shall, by January 1, 2022, shall establish a process for a county to request the office to review the county’s emergency plan. Upon the conclusion of the review process, the office shall provide technical assistance and feedback regarding the sufficiency of the county’s emergency plan with the following elements:
(1) Whether the plan is consistent with the office’s proposed best practices.
(2) Whether the plan protects and accommodates vulnerable populations during natural disasters.
(3) Whether the plan has established procedures for alerting, evacuating, and sheltering individuals during an emergency.
(4) Any other necessary and appropriate element, as determined by the office.
SEC. 2.
If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.