CaliforniaSB 5142025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Wildfire prevention: accreditation.

Sponsored By: Christopher Cabaldon (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

More help with defensible space inspections

The department runs a statewide program that lets certified groups do defensible space and home hardening checks and education in state and local areas. Qualified groups include counties, conservation corps, fire safe councils, certain nonprofits, UC fire advisors, and registered foresters. The department trains people for this work and gives certificates; starting July 1, 2026, training follows the Home Ignition Zone/Defensible Space Inspector plan. These groups have no right to enter private land and have no enforcement power. The department can expand programs and may use trained volunteers in a pilot funded by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

Safer building materials and certified contractors

The State Fire Marshal provides free training on wildfire-safe building rules, including backup power mandates. The office keeps a public list of products that meet those rules, like siding, vents, roofing, and battery backups for garage doors. Contractors who do defensible space, home hardening, and fuel reduction can earn state certification after the required training. By January 1, 2027, a home hardening certification program guides upgrades during renovations. The office can use a revolving fund for this work when the Legislature approves money.

One data system with owner privacy

The department runs one reporting system for defensible space and home hardening data, with quality checks. If an owner shares data for non-enforcement reasons, it can be anonymized and kept private on request and is not used for enforcement unless the owner asks. The department compiles the data and can use authorized compliance data to focus inspections on noncompliant properties, reduce checks for compliant owners, and target education. Qualified local agencies that report to the state must use the common platform. Beginning December 31, 2023, the department reports results to the Legislature every year.

Clear rules for wildfire safety work

The law defines home hardening as using materials that meet state wildfire building rules. It states who counts as a property owner for these programs. It also defines which upgrades qualify as wildfire safety improvements, like defensible space and fuel reduction.

Some sections depend on other bills

Some parts of this law only take effect if related bills are also enacted by January 1, 2026. The affected sections change only when both bills amend the same code section and this law is signed after the companion bill. This is a timing rule and does not change your current duties by itself.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Christopher Cabaldon
Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 201 • No: 0

Senate vote • 9/9/2025

Item 59 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 40 • No: 0

House vote • 9/8/2025

Item 231 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 79 • No: 0

legislature vote • 8/29/2025

Vote in CX25

Yes: 11 • No: 0

legislature vote • 7/7/2025

Vote in CX16

Yes: 14 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/29/2025

Item 325 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 38 • No: 0

legislature vote • 5/23/2025

Vote in CS61

Yes: 6 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/28/2025

Vote in CS61

Yes: 7 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/8/2025

Vote in CS55