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CaliforniaSB 5712025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Crimes.

Sponsored By: Bob Archuleta (Democratic), Jesse Arreguín (Democratic), Suzette Martinez Valladares (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New crimes for fake first responders

The law makes it a crime to impersonate a first responder to defraud someone during an evacuation. It bans wearing or using uniforms, badges, cards, or similar items in an evacuation zone. It also bans credible online impersonation during an evacuation order or within 30 days after it ends. Penalties include up to 1 year in county jail and/or up to a $2,000 fine, or a felony term and a fine up to $20,000. Judges can also treat looting more harshly if the person posed as emergency personnel, but only if that fact is pled and proven. First responders include firefighters, law enforcement, EMTs, search and rescue, some utility and government workers, and FEMA employees. These changes operate only if AB 468 is enacted and effective by January 1, 2026.

Tougher penalties for high-damage arson

The law treats some arson as aggravated arson. It applies if you had an arson conviction in the past 10 years, caused over $10,100,000 in losses not counting inhabited homes, or damaged five or more inhabited homes. Courts must include firefighting costs when adding up losses. Punishment is 10 years to life in state prison, with no parole for 10 years. The higher dollar threshold applies only to crimes after it takes effect. This section ends on January 1, 2029. These changes operate only if AB 468 is enacted and effective by January 1, 2026.

Law takes effect only with AB 468

This act is operative only if AB 468 becomes law and is effective by January 1, 2026. If that does not happen, the arson and impersonation changes do not take effect.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Bob Archuleta

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jesse Arreguín

    Democratic • Senate

  • Suzette Martinez Valladares

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Sabrina Cervantes

    Democratic • Senate

  • Timothy Grayson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Melissa Hurtado

    Democratic • Senate

  • Caroline Menjivar

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sasha Renée Pérez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Eloise Gómez Reyes

    Democratic • Senate

  • Laura Richardson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Henry Stern

    Democratic • Senate

  • Thomas Umberg

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 194 • No: 0

Senate vote • 9/11/2025

Item 42 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 40 • No: 0

House vote • 9/9/2025

Item 142 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 76 • No: 0

legislature vote • 8/29/2025

Vote in CX25

Yes: 11 • No: 0

legislature vote • 7/15/2025

Vote in CX18

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/3/2025

Item 97 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 39 • No: 0

legislature vote • 5/23/2025

Vote in CS61

Yes: 6 • No: 0

legislature vote • 5/5/2025

Vote in CS61

Yes: 7 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/22/2025

Vote in CS72

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 545, Statutes of 2025.

    10/10/2025Senate

  2. Approved by the Governor.

    10/10/2025legislature

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

    9/22/2025legislature

  4. Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2874.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.

    9/11/2025Senate

  5. In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.

    9/9/2025Senate

  6. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 76. Noes 0. Page 3086.) Ordered to the Senate.

    9/9/2025House

  7. Ordered to third reading.

    9/4/2025House

  8. Read third time and amended.

    9/4/2025House

  9. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    9/3/2025House

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

    9/2/2025House

  11. From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (August 29).

    8/29/2025House

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

    8/20/2025House

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

    7/17/2025House

  14. From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (July 15).

    7/16/2025House

  15. July 1 hearing postponed by committee.

    7/1/2025House

  16. Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

    6/9/2025House

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

    6/4/2025House

  18. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 1452.) Ordered to the Assembly.

    6/3/2025Senate

  19. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    5/27/2025Senate

  20. Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

    5/23/2025Senate

  21. From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 1204.) (May 23).

    5/23/2025Senate

  22. Set for hearing May 23.

    5/16/2025Senate

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

    5/5/2025Senate

  24. Set for hearing May 5.

    4/25/2025Senate

  25. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 842.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    4/23/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Chaptered

    10/10/2025

    HTML

  • Enrolled

    9/16/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Assembly

    9/4/2025

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  • Amended Assembly

    9/2/2025

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  • Amended Assembly

    7/17/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Senate

    5/23/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Senate

    3/25/2025

    HTML

  • Introduced

    2/20/2025

    HTML

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