AB 1531 Adds Insurance Expertise to California’s Wildfire Preparedness Efforts

Sacramento, CA - Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom (D-Tracy), Chair of the Assembly Emergency Management Committee, announced today that her bill, AB 1531, has been enacted by Governor Gavin Newsom with unanimous, bipartisan support from the Legislature.

AB 1531 requires that on or before July 1, 2026, the Department of Insurance join the state's Wildfire Mitigation Program Board. The board, led by Cal OES and CAL FIRE, coordinates wildfire prevention projects like strengthening homes, managing vegetation, and protecting neighborhoods. By adding the Department of Insurance, the state is making sure wildfire projects are reviewed with insurance expertise, so funds are used wisely, and families are better insured when disaster strikes.

This change comes as California continues to recover from devastating wildfires, including the Los Angeles fires earlier this year that destroyed thousands of homes and left families struggling with insurance coverage and rebuilding.

"My team and I were pleased to work closely with the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, CAL FIRE, and the Insurance Commissioner to ensure hazard mitigation funds are invested wisely to make homes safer from wildfires and ultimately, make homeowners insurance more widely available and affordable."
-Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom

AB 1531 is the first bill authored by Assemblymember Ransom to be signed into law since she was elected in 2024. She has also sent seven additional bills to the Governor's desk awaiting signature.