California 20252026 Regular Session Status: To Executive 13 D cosponsors

SB 616 — Community Hardening Commission: wildfire mitigation program.

Last action — Veto sustained.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed Assembly
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 20, 2025. It awaits signature.

Vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom (Democratic) on March 02, 2026.

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 74% · moderate confidence

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 13 sponsors

    1 primary, 12 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (13 D).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 10 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

(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 establish the Community Hardening Commission as an independent unit within the Department of Insurance, to be composed of specified members, including, among others, the Insurance Commissioner and the State Fire Marshal or their designee. The bill would require the Insurance Commissioner to be the chair of the commission. The bill would also require the commission to be advised by an advisory council consisting of specified members, including, among others, a local representative on behalf of a city or county, or association representing cities and counties, and a representative of the California Fire Chiefs Association. By imposing additional duties on local representatives of a city or county, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. 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. (4) 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.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. Stricken from file.

  2. Veto sustained.

  3. In Senate. Consideration of Governor's veto pending.

  4. Vetoed by the Governor.

  5. Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.

  6. In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.

  7. Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 34. Noes 0. Page 3062.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.

  8. Joint Rule 61(a)(14) and 51(a)(4) suspended. (Ayes 59. Noes 20. Page 3413.)

  9. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 66. Noes 4. Page 3482.) Ordered to the Senate.

  10. Ordered to third reading.

  11. Assembly Rule 69(b)(1) suspended.

  12. Read third time and amended.

  13. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  14. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (August 29).

  15. August 20 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file.

  16. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 13. Noes 2.) (July 16). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  17. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on INS. (Ayes 5. Noes 1.) (July 14). Re-referred to Com. on INS.

  18. From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E.M.

  19. Assembly Rule 56 suspended.

  20. Referred to Coms. on E.M and INS.

  21. In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.

  22. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 1455.) Ordered to the Assembly.

  23. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  24. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 1207.) (May 23).

  25. Set for hearing May 23.

  26. May 5 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.

  27. Set for hearing May 5.

  28. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 13. Noes 0. Page 836.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  29. Set for hearing April 22.

  30. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 7. Noes 0. Page 738.) (April 9). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.

  31. Set for hearing April 9.

  32. Referred to Coms. on INS. and JUD.

  33. From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.

  34. Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 12 co-sponsors · 109 not signed on · 5 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (12)

Not signed on (109)

109 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 109 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

SB 616 Rubio Senate Third Reading By Aguiar-Curry

Passed 66 Yea · 4 Nay · 10 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 59000
Republican 64010
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 664010
% of votes cast 83%5%0%13%
How each member voted (80)
Member Party Vote
Ávila Farías — Yea
Addis, Dawn Democratic Yea
Aguiar-Curry, Cecilia M. Democratic Yea
Ahrens, Patrick Democratic Yea
Alvarez, David Democratic Yea
Arambula, Joaquin Democratic Yea
Bains, Jasmeet Democratic Yea
Bauer-Kahan, Rebecca Democratic Yea
Bennett, Steve Democratic Yea
Berman, Marc Democratic Yea
Boerner, Tasha Democratic Yea
Bonta, Mia Democratic Yea
Bryan, Isaac G. Democratic Yea
Calderon, Lisa Democratic Yea
Caloza, Jessica Democratic Yea
Carrillo, Juan Democratic Yea
Connolly, Damon Democratic Yea
Elhawary, Sade Democratic Yea
Fong, Mike Democratic Yea
Gabriel, Jesse Democratic Yea
Garcia, Robert Democratic Yea
Gipson, Mike A. Democratic Yea
González, Mark Democratic Yea
Haney, Matt Democratic Yea
Harabedian, John Democratic Yea
Hart, Gregg Democratic Yea
Irwin, Jacqui Democratic Yea
Jackson, Corey A. Democratic Yea
Kalra, Ash Democratic Yea
Krell, Maggy Democratic Yea
Lee, Alex Democratic Yea
Lowenthal, Josh Democratic Yea
McKinnor, Tina Democratic Yea
Muratsuchi, Al Democratic Yea
Nguyen, Stephanie Democratic Yea
Ortega, Liz Democratic Yea
Pacheco, Blanca Democratic Yea
Papan, Diane Democratic Yea
Patel, Darshana R. Democratic Yea
Pellerin, Gail Democratic Yea
Petrie-Norris, Cottie Democratic Yea
Quirk-Silva, Sharon Democratic Yea
Ramos, James C. Democratic Yea
Ransom, Rhodesia Democratic Yea
Rivas, Robert Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Celeste Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Michelle Democratic Yea
Rogers, Chris Democratic Yea
Rubio, Blanca E. Democratic Yea
Schiavo, Pilar Democratic Yea
Schultz, Nick Democratic Yea
Sharp-Collins, LaShae Democratic Yea
Solache, Jr., José Luis Democratic Yea
Soria, Esmeralda Democratic Yea
Stefani, Catherine Democratic Yea
Valencia, Avelino Democratic Yea
Ward, Christopher M. Democratic Yea
Wicks, Buffy Democratic Yea
Wilson, Lori D. Democratic Yea
Zbur, Rick Chavez Democratic Yea
Alanis, Juan Republican Yea
Castillo, Leticia Republican Not Voting
Chen, Phillip Republican Not Voting
Davies, Laurie Republican Yea
DeMaio, Carl Republican Nay
Dixon, Diane Republican Yea
Ellis, Stan Republican Nay
Flora, Heath Republican Not Voting
Gallagher, James Republican Not Voting
Gonzalez, Jeff Republican Nay
Hadwick, Heather Republican Not Voting
Hoover, Josh Republican Not Voting
Johnson, Natasha Republican Yea
Lackey, Tom Republican Not Voting
Macedo, Alexandra Republican Not Voting
Patterson, Joe Republican Yea
Sanchez, Kate Republican Not Voting
Ta, Tri Republican Not Voting
Tangipa, David J. Republican Nay
Wallis, Greg Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Unfinished Business SB616 Rubio et al. Concurrence

Passed 34 Yea · 0 Nay · 6 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 28002
Republican 6004
Total 34006
% of votes cast 85%0%0%15%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Allen, Benjamin Democratic Yea
Archuleta, Bob Democratic Yea
Arreguín, Jesse Democratic Yea
Ashby, Angelique V. Democratic Yea
Becker, Josh Democratic Yea
Blakespear, Catherine S. Democratic Yea
Cabaldon, Christopher Democratic Yea
Caballero, Anna M. Democratic Yea
Cervantes, Sabrina Democratic Yea
Cortese, Dave Democratic Yea
Durazo, Maria Elena Democratic Yea
Gonzalez, Lena A. Democratic Yea
Grayson, Timothy S. Democratic Yea
Hurtado, Melissa Democratic Yea
Laird, John Democratic Not Voting
Limón, Monique Democratic Yea
McGuire, Mike Democratic Yea
McNerney, Jerry Democratic Yea
Menjivar, Caroline Democratic Yea
Padilla, Stephen C. Democratic Yea
Pérez, Sasha Renée Democratic Yea
Reyes, Eloise Gómez Democratic Yea
Richardson, Laura Democratic Yea
Rubio, Susan Democratic Yea
Smallwood-Cuevas, Lola Democratic Yea
Stern, Henry I. Democratic Yea
Umberg, Thomas J. Democratic Yea
Wahab, Aisha Democratic Yea
Weber Pierson, M.D., Akilah Democratic Not Voting
Wiener, Scott D. Democratic Yea
Alvarado-Gil, Marie Republican Not Voting
Choi, Steven S. Republican Not Voting
Dahle, Megan Republican Not Voting
Grove, Shannon Republican Yea
Jones, Brian W. Republican Yea
Niello, Roger W. Republican Yea
Ochoa Bogh, Rosilicie Republican Yea
Seyarto, Kelly Republican Yea
Strickland, Tony Republican Yea
Valladares, Suzette Martinez Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Do pass.

Passed 12 Yea · 0 Nay · 3 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 11000
Republican 1003
Total 12003
% of votes cast 80%0%0%20%
How each member voted (15)
Member Party Vote
Ahrens, Patrick Democratic Yea
Arambula, Joaquin Democratic Yea
Calderon, Lisa Democratic Yea
Caloza, Jessica Democratic Yea
Elhawary, Sade Democratic Yea
Fong, Mike Democratic Yea
González, Mark Democratic Yea
Pacheco, Blanca Democratic Yea
Pellerin, Gail Democratic Yea
Solache, Jr., José Luis Democratic Yea
Wicks, Buffy Democratic Yea
Dixon, Diane Republican Not Voting
Sanchez, Kate Republican Not Voting
Ta, Tri Republican Not Voting
Tangipa, David J. Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]

Passed 13 Yea · 2 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 12000
Unaffiliated 1000
Republican 0202
Total 13202
% of votes cast 76%12%0%12%
How each member voted (17)
Member Party Vote
Ávila Farías — Yea
Addis, Dawn Democratic Yea
Alvarez, David Democratic Yea
Berman, Marc Democratic Yea
Calderon, Lisa Democratic Yea
Gipson, Mike A. Democratic Yea
Harabedian, John Democratic Yea
Krell, Maggy Democratic Yea
Nguyen, Stephanie Democratic Yea
Ortega, Liz Democratic Yea
Petrie-Norris, Cottie Democratic Yea
Rodriguez, Michelle Democratic Yea
Valencia, Avelino Democratic Yea
Chen, Phillip Republican Nay
Ellis, Stan Republican Nay
Hadwick, Heather Republican Not Voting
Wallis, Greg Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

3rd Reading SB616 Rubio et al.

Passed 39 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 10000
Democratic 29001
Total 39001
% of votes cast 98%0%0%3%
How each member voted (40)
Member Party Vote
Allen, Benjamin Democratic Yea
Archuleta, Bob Democratic Yea
Arreguín, Jesse Democratic Yea
Ashby, Angelique V. Democratic Yea
Becker, Josh Democratic Yea
Blakespear, Catherine S. Democratic Yea
Cabaldon, Christopher Democratic Yea
Caballero, Anna M. Democratic Yea
Cervantes, Sabrina Democratic Yea
Cortese, Dave Democratic Yea
Durazo, Maria Elena Democratic Yea
Gonzalez, Lena A. Democratic Yea
Grayson, Timothy S. Democratic Yea
Hurtado, Melissa Democratic Yea
Laird, John Democratic Yea
Limón, Monique Democratic Yea
McGuire, Mike Democratic Yea
McNerney, Jerry Democratic Yea
Menjivar, Caroline Democratic Yea
Padilla, Stephen C. Democratic Yea
Pérez, Sasha Renée Democratic Yea
Reyes, Eloise Gómez Democratic Not Voting
Richardson, Laura Democratic Yea
Rubio, Susan Democratic Yea
Smallwood-Cuevas, Lola Democratic Yea
Stern, Henry I. Democratic Yea
Umberg, Thomas J. Democratic Yea
Wahab, Aisha Democratic Yea
Weber Pierson, M.D., Akilah Democratic Yea
Wiener, Scott D. Democratic Yea
Alvarado-Gil, Marie Republican Yea
Choi, Steven S. Republican Yea
Dahle, Megan Republican Yea
Grove, Shannon Republican Yea
Jones, Brian W. Republican Yea
Niello, Roger W. Republican Yea
Ochoa Bogh, Rosilicie Republican Yea
Seyarto, Kelly Republican Yea
Strickland, Tony Republican Yea
Valladares, Suzette Martinez Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar

Passed 13 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 11000
Republican 2000
Total 13000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (13)
Member Party Vote
Allen, Benjamin Democratic Yea
Arreguín, Jesse Democratic Yea
Ashby, Angelique V. Democratic Yea
Caballero, Anna M. Democratic Yea
Durazo, Maria Elena Democratic Yea
Laird, John Democratic Yea
Stern, Henry I. Democratic Yea
Umberg, Thomas J. Democratic Yea
Wahab, Aisha Democratic Yea
Weber Pierson, M.D., Akilah Democratic Yea
Wiener, Scott D. Democratic Yea
Niello, Roger W. Republican Yea
Valladares, Suzette Martinez Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety environment
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Frequently asked questions

What does SB 616 do?
(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 establish the Community Hardening Commission as an independent unit within the Department of Insurance, to be composed of specified members, including, among others, the Insurance Commissioner and the State Fire Marshal or their designee. The bill would require the Insurance Commissioner to be the chair of the commission. The bill would also require the commission to be advised by an advisory council consisting of specified members, including, among others, a local representative on behalf of a city or county, or association representing cities and counties, and a representative of the California Fire Chiefs Association. By imposing additional duties on local representatives of a city or county, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. 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. (4) 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.
Who sponsors SB 616?
SB 616 is sponsored by Pérez, Sasha Renée (Democratic), Hurtado, Melissa (Democratic), Gonzalez, Lena A. (Democratic), Cervantes, Sabrina (Democratic), Stern, Henry I. (Democratic), Rubio, Susan (Democratic), Laird, John (Democratic), Wiener, Scott D. (Democratic), Umberg, Thomas J. (Democratic), Smallwood-Cuevas, Lola (Democratic), Richardson, Laura (Democratic), Reyes, Eloise Gómez (Democratic), and Cortese, Dave (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 616?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 20, 2025. It awaits signature.
Where can I track SB 616?
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