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Bill

SB 782

Enhanced infrastructure financing district: climate resilience districts.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sasha Pérez

California authorizes climate resilience districts to levy property assessments funding climate adaptation infrastructure like flood barriers and fire mitigation systems.

Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 552, Statutes of 2025.
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Bill Summary · SB 782

Legislative bill overview

SB 782 establishes "climate resilience districts" as a new type of enhanced infrastructure financing district (EIFD) in California, allowing local agencies to finance climate adaptation and mitigation infrastructure projects through special assessment mechanisms. The bill enables districts to levy assessments on properties to fund projects that increase resilience to climate-related hazards such as flooding, wildfire, drought, and sea-level rise.

Why is this important

Climate resilience infrastructure—including flood barriers, fire-resistant landscaping, water storage systems, and backup power—requires significant upfront capital that many local governments struggle to finance through traditional budgets. This mechanism allows communities to spread costs across benefiting properties while generating dedicated revenue streams for long-term climate adaptation projects, potentially protecting property values and public safety in climate-vulnerable areas.

Potential points of contention

  • Assessment burden on property owners: Special assessments function as additional property taxes; lower-income homeowners and small businesses may face disproportionate cost increases, particularly in flood-prone or fire-prone neighborhoods where assessments would be highest.
  • Accountability and project selection: The bill grants significant discretion to local agencies in determining which projects qualify and how assessments are calculated, raising concerns about potential misuse, favoritism, or funding projects with limited climate resilience benefits.
  • Displacement risk: Increased property costs in vulnerable areas could accelerate gentrification and displacement of existing residents, potentially concentrating climate resilience investments in wealthier communities that can afford assessments.

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

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