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SB 1312

Cemeteries.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Laura Richardson

SB 1312 would allow the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau to create an advisory committee with industry, public, and local government members to shape regulatory work.

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 1.) (July 1). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
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Bill Summary · SB 1312

Summary of SB 1312 (2025-2026) – Cemetery and Funeral Bureau: Advisory Committee

Purpose and intent

  • This bill adds a new authority for the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau, which operates under the Department of Consumer Affairs, to establish an advisory committee.
  • The advisory committee would assist the bureau in engaging both consumers and licensees in its regulatory activities.

Key provisions

  • Section added: New Section 7604 to the Business and Professions Code.
  • Establishment of advisory committee:
    • The bureau may establish an advisory committee if it chooses to.
    • The advisory committee must include at least one member from each of the following groups:
    • Licensed representatives of the death care industry.
    • Members of the public.
    • Representatives of local governments.
  • Scope of function:
    • The advisory committee would assist the bureau in engaging consumers and licensees in regulatory activities, contributing input on regulatory matters and related processes.

Who would be affected

  • The Cemetery and Funeral Bureau (CAB) would gain authority to create and use an advisory committee.
  • Potential participants and stakeholders include:
    • Licensed death care industry representatives (e.g., funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, embalmers).
    • Members of the public who use or are affected by burial, cremation, and related services.
    • Local government representatives involved in consumer protection, public health, or local regulatory matters.
  • No direct fiscal appropriation is authorized by the bill (the bill notes “Appropriation: NO” in its digest), suggesting no mandated state funding beyond potential routine administration if an advisory committee is formed.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Legislative history (highlights):
    • Introduced February 20, 2026, by Senator Richardson (co-sponsored by Laura Richardson).
    • Initially referred to the appropriate committees in early 2026, with action history indicating progression:
    • February 23, 2026: Read first time; referred to committees.
    • March 4, 2026: Referred to the Committee on Business, Professions, and Economic Development.
    • April 8, 2026: Set for hearing (April 13, 2026).
    • April 13, 2026: Reported from committee with “do pass” and re-referred to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.
  • Implementation details:
    • The bill grants the bureau discretion to establish the advisory committee; it does not mandate establishment.
    • If established, membership must reflect the three specified groups, ensuring diverse input from industry, public, and local government perspectives.

Practical impact and considerations

  • Potential benefits:
    • Enhanced stakeholder input into regulatory decisions affecting cemeteries, crematories, funeral establishments, embalming, and storage of human remains.
    • Increased transparency and responsiveness to consumer concerns and industry needs.
  • Considerations for implementation:
    • How the bureau would select and recruit members from each required group.
    • Scope of advisory committee duties, meeting frequency, compensation (if any), and reporting requirements to the bureau and the Legislature.
    • Ensuring balanced representation and avoiding conflicts of interest.

Overall, SB 1312 would inset a mechanism for structured external input into the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau’s regulatory work by creating an advisory committee with representation from the death care industry, the public, and local government, should the bureau choose to establish one.

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

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