PRIA Logo™
CaliforniaAB 14552025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Office of Land Use and Climate innovation: fire hazard planning.

Sponsored By: Isaac Bryan (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Stricter yard rules with property protections

People who own, lease, control, operate, or maintain covered structures must keep 100 feet of defensible space, stopping at property lines. This applies in state responsibility areas and locally designated very high fire hazard zones. Rules require an ember-resistant area within 5 feet and stronger fuel reduction between 5 and 30 feet. Attached decks count as part of the structure; state authorities can require fuel removal above or below them. Maintenance includes clearing tree portions within 10 feet of chimney outlets, dead wood near buildings, and plant debris from roofs. New structures follow ember-zone rules after the state board updates its regulations and guidance. Existing structures generally follow three years later, but existing rentals follow the new-structure date. Existing nonrental homes offered for sale follow the sale date or the three-year deadline, whichever comes first. People need not manage fuels where they lack legal rights or enter or alter another owner's land without written consent.

Limits on insurers' extra yard clearing

Insurers can require fuel clearing beyond the standard 100 feet only with a designated fire expert's finding. The expert must find the extra work necessary to significantly reduce ignition risk and that no other feasible measure exists. Insurer-required clearing cannot cross the property line unless state or local law allows it.

Construction owners must get compliance documents

Owners undertaking covered new construction or rebuilding after fire damage must get compliance documents when a building permit is required. Before work starts, a local building official must certify compliance with applicable state and local building standards. After completion, owners must obtain a final inspection report showing compliance. Owners must give either document to the applicable insurer upon request.

Local fire options can be stricter

Local fire agencies can approve alternative practices for occupied properties in locally designated very high fire hazard zones. The alternatives must have substantially similar practical effects to state rules. Owners who follow an approved alternative are protected from state enforcement under the covered requirements. Local agencies can also set stricter standards, which can increase the work owners must do.

New fire rules with phased enforcement

The state forestry board must set 5-foot ember-zone standards for state responsibility areas and locally designated very high fire hazard zones. It must use emergency rules if regular rulemaking prevents meeting the December 31, 2025 deadline. Emergency rules can be readopted, remain effective until revised, and do not require California environmental review. The board must post regional fuel-management guidance and update it within one year after adopting the required regulations. Guidance addresses native plants, erosion, water use, and fire risks from items such as furniture and propane tanks. Regulations must allow staged work for existing structures and address compliance costs. The Fire Marshal must recommend fuels to exclude and make reasonable efforts to notify affected residents before penalties. CAL FIRE cannot change ember-zone inspection practices, forms, or enforcement until the Fire Marshal posts a finding of sufficient legislative funding.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Isaac Bryan

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 216 • No: 2

House vote • 9/10/2025

AB 1455 Bryan Concurrence - Urgency Added

Yes: 74 • No: 1

Senate vote • 9/9/2025

Assembly 3rd Reading AB1455 Bryan By Becker Urgency Clause

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote • 7/8/2025

Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]

Yes: 6 • No: 0

House vote • 6/3/2025

AB 1455 Bryan Assembly Third Reading

Yes: 72 • No: 1

House vote • 5/23/2025

Do pass as amended.

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote • 4/7/2025

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

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 731, Statutes of 2025.

    10/13/2025Senate

  2. Approved by the Governor.

    10/13/2025legislature

  3. Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.

    9/22/2025legislature

  4. Urgency clause adopted. Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 74. Noes 1. Page 3206.).

    9/10/2025House

  5. In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.

    9/9/2025House

  6. Read third time. Urgency clause adopted. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 2728.).

    9/9/2025Senate

  7. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    9/8/2025Senate

  8. Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

    9/5/2025Senate

  9. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    9/4/2025Senate

  10. Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

    9/3/2025Senate

  11. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    8/26/2025Senate

  12. From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.

    8/25/2025Senate

  13. In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.

    8/13/2025Senate

  14. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    7/10/2025Senate

  15. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (July 8).

    7/9/2025Senate

  16. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on N.R. & W.

    6/25/2025Senate

  17. Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.

    6/18/2025Senate

  18. In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

    6/4/2025Senate

  19. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 72. Noes 1. Page 2019.)

    6/3/2025House

  20. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    5/27/2025House

  21. Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.

    5/23/2025House

  22. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (May 23).

    5/23/2025House

  23. Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Ayes 51. Noes 16. Page 1644.)

    5/23/2025House

  24. In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.

    4/23/2025House

  25. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 7). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    4/8/2025House

Bill Text

  • Chaptered

    10/13/2025

    HTML

  • Enrolled

    9/12/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Senate

    9/5/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Senate

    9/3/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Senate

    7/10/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Senate

    6/25/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Assembly

    5/23/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Assembly

    3/24/2025

    HTML

  • Introduced

    2/21/2025

    HTML

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation