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AB 2471

Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Expands and diversifies the Seismic Safety Commission’s membership to strengthen cross-agency seismic safety coordination and policy guidance through 2030.

Ordered to third reading.
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Bill Summary · AB 2471

Summary of AB 2471 (2025-2026) – Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission

Purpose and intent
- AB 2471, introduced by the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management on February 20, 2026, would modify the composition and operations of the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission (the Seismic Safety Commission) and extend certain coordination authorities through January 1, 2030.
- The overarching aim is to strengthen seismic safety policy coordination, data collection, and funding exploration related to earthquake preparedness, mitigation, and response.

Key provisions and changes
- Commission membership and quorum
- Adds three new voting members to represent: the State Fire Marshal, the Department of Insurance, and the Strategic Growth Council.
- Reduces the Governor’s appointments from 10 to 9 members (the total membership would be 15 or 17, per the bill’s text; the bill uses a transitional numbering but keeps the Commission as a high-level body within the Office of Emergency Services).
- Quorum requirement is clarified to be at least 9 members for a meeting to proceed (instead of 8, reflecting the new membership).

  • Collaborative requirements and focus areas

    • The Commission must, at a minimum, work with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Department of Insurance, and the Strategic Growth Council to identify key activities and responsibilities related to seismic safety.
    • The Commission continues to coordinate with other agencies to support seismic safety activities and funding research.

  • Coordinating role and policy recommendations (temporary authorization)

    • Until January 1, 2030, the Commission is authorized to coordinate with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) and the Office of Emergency Services to:
    • Make policy recommendations to the Legislature aimed at mitigating post-earthquake fires and disruptions to lifeline infrastructure (fuel, gas, electricity, water, transportation, communications, etc.).
    • Develop lists (e.g., fire stations and their seismic/essential-service standards status) and gather data on earthquake early warning technology in fire stations.
    • Research other potential sources of funding for seismic mitigation activities.
    • The Commission must produce policy recommendations and, by January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, a report outlining actions, conclusions, and recommendations to relevant Assembly and Senate committees (Emergency Management and Governmental Organization).

  • Reporting and sunset

    • The bill requires annual reporting on seismic safety activities and progress, including cross-agency updates.
    • The sunset provision remains: the temporary coordination authority with Cal Fire and the Office of Emergency Services would expire January 1, 2030.

Who is affected
- The Seismic Safety Commission itself (its membership, quorum, and governance).
- State agencies added as voting members: State Fire Marshal, Department of Insurance, and Strategic Growth Council.
- Agencies involved in coordination and data collection: Office of Emergency Services, Cal Fire, and others listed in the bill (e.g., California Geological Survey, California Earthquake Authority, UC/CSU, PUC, DOT, etc., for reporting purposes).

Procedural and timeline aspects
- Effective date: The provisions would become operative upon enactment, with sunset-based elements extending coordination authority through January 1, 2030.
- Reporting schedule: An initial policy and action report due by January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter for specified committees.
- Regular governance requirements (e.g., annual election of chair/vice chair; minimum meeting cadence) remain in place, with adjusted quorum reflecting new membership.

Overall impact
- AB 2471 aims to enhance seismic safety governance by diversifying representation, strengthening cross-agency coordination, and formalizing periodic policy guidance to the Legislature on earthquake resilience, early warning adoption, and mitigation funding.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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