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CaliforniaAB 3672025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

County water districts: County of Ventura: fire suppression.

Sponsored By: Steve Bennett (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Map critical sites and post‑fire reviews

By May 1, 2026, water suppliers must give Ventura County Emergency Services a list of critical firefighting wells, pumps, and backup water sources. The office sets the submission and update process by March 1, 2026. Suppliers must update the list within 120 days when something changes. If a fire makes more than 10 homes uninhabitable in a supplier’s area, the county fire department and the supplier prepare a limited report and present it at a regular Board of Supervisors meeting. The report checks tank levels before the fire, how power loss was handled, and whether critical gear and backup power met the standards.

State reimbursement for local mandate costs

If the Commission on State Mandates finds this law creates state‑mandated costs, California reimburses local agencies and school districts under Government Code Part 7. Payment happens only after that finding and through the usual process.

Ventura fire safety standards and inspections

By January 1, 2027, the Ventura County Fire Department sets minimum fire safety standards for wells, pumps, and backup power in high‑risk zones. After that, the county inspects those sites each year, working with any local fire department that serves the area. Water suppliers also must check each year any critical wells, pumps, or backup power that serve high‑risk areas but sit outside those zones.

Ventura water suppliers need firefighting backups

Starting July 1, 2030, Ventura County water suppliers that serve high or very high fire zones must keep firefighting water flowing. They must power wells and pumps for at least 24 hours with backup energy, or get backup water from another supplier. Backup with an automatic or remote switch must start within 30 minutes of an outage; without one, staff must start it as soon as practicable. A backup water source must be ready within 30 minutes and supply the full needed amount. Mobile generators or mutual‑aid power can qualify if ready within 12 hours of a National Weather Service red flag warning, available within 60 minutes after power is lost, and able to run 24 hours. If a supplier signed a backup‑power contract before July 1, 2030, it is treated as compliant if it has the equipment or access by January 1, 2033.

Water suppliers: emergency plans and alerts

Water suppliers must keep an emergency plan for red flag warnings, extreme weather, and major power outages. They coordinate the plan with Ventura County Emergency Services and the Fire Department, review it yearly, and start it when the National Weather Service issues a red flag warning. Suppliers must tell Ventura County Emergency Services within three business days if water delivery drops enough to hinder firefighting or delay refilling reservoirs, and must alert the office right away during a fire.

Who these Ventura water rules cover

These Ventura County rules apply to community water systems that supply firefighting water to more than 20 homes. They cover wells and pumps used for firefighting in high or very high fire zones. They do not cover gravity‑fed systems that need no backup power, or nonpotable, recycled, irrigation, or farm systems not used for firefighting. Sharing information with Emergency Services keeps the same confidentiality as before.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Steve Bennett

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • John Harabedian

    Democratic • House

  • Jacqui Irwin

    Democratic • House

  • Monique Limón

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 237 • No: 14

House vote • 9/9/2025

Item 211 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 74 • No: 1

Senate vote • 9/8/2025

Item 390 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 30 • No: 7

legislature vote • 8/29/2025

Vote in CS61

Yes: 5 • No: 2

legislature vote • 8/18/2025

Vote in CS61

Yes: 7 • No: 0

legislature vote • 7/9/2025

Vote in CS82

Yes: 5 • No: 1

legislature vote • 6/24/2025

Vote in CS55

Yes: 6 • No: 1

House vote • 6/2/2025

Item 333 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 75 • No: 1

legislature vote • 5/23/2025

Vote in CX25

Yes: 11 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/30/2025

Vote in CX23

Yes: 18 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/7/2025

Vote in CX81

Yes: 6 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 690, Statutes of 2025.

    10/13/2025Senate

  2. Approved by the Governor.

    10/13/2025legislature

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

    9/16/2025legislature

  4. Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 74. Noes 1. Page 3104.).

    9/9/2025House

  5. In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.

    9/8/2025House

  6. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 30. Noes 7. Page 2623.).

    9/8/2025Senate

  7. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    9/4/2025Senate

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

    9/3/2025Senate

  9. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    9/2/2025Senate

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

    8/29/2025Senate

  11. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (August 29).

    8/29/2025Senate

  12. In committee: Referred to suspense file.

    8/18/2025Senate

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

    7/10/2025Senate

  14. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 1.) (July 9).

    7/9/2025Senate

  15. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on L. GOV.

    6/25/2025Senate

  16. From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on L. GOV. (Ayes 6. Noes 1.) (June 24).

    6/24/2025Senate

  17. Referred to Coms. on N.R. & W. and L. GOV.

    6/11/2025Senate

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

    6/3/2025Senate

  19. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 75. Noes 1. Page 1900.)

    6/2/2025House

  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 11. 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.

    5/14/2025House

  25. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    5/6/2025House

Bill Text

  • Chaptered

    10/13/2025

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  • Enrolled

    9/11/2025

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  • Amended Senate

    9/3/2025

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  • Amended Senate

    8/29/2025

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  • Amended Senate

    7/10/2025

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  • Amended Senate

    6/25/2025

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  • Amended Assembly

    5/23/2025

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  • Amended Assembly

    5/5/2025

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  • Amended Assembly

    4/21/2025

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  • Amended Assembly

    3/28/2025

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  • Introduced

    2/3/2025

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