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Bill

AB 299

Motels, hotels, and short-term lodging: disasters.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jesse Gabriel and 1 co-sponsor

California requires hotels and motels to provide discounted or free rooms to disaster victims and relief organizations during declared emergencies.

Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 531, Statutes of 2025.
#motels #hotels #andshort-termlodging #disasters
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Bill Summary · AB 299

Legislative bill overview

AB 299 requires motels, hotels, and short-term lodging facilities in California to make rooms available to disaster relief organizations and individuals displaced by disasters at reduced rates or for free. The bill establishes protocols for how lodging facilities coordinate with state and local emergency management agencies during declared disasters.

Why is this important

California faces frequent and increasingly severe disasters including wildfires, floods, and earthquakes that displace thousands of residents. This law attempts to address housing shortages during disaster recovery by leveraging private lodging infrastructure, potentially reducing costs to government emergency response budgets while providing shelter to vulnerable populations during crises.

Potential points of contention

  • Burden on private business: Hotels and motels may face reduced revenue during peak displacement periods when they could otherwise charge market rates, raising concerns about fairness to property owners and financial viability of smaller establishments
  • Vague compensation mechanisms: The law's details on reimbursement, eligibility criteria, and mandatory participation rates may create uncertainty for lodging operators about actual financial impacts
  • Implementation complexity: Coordinating across numerous private facilities, multiple local jurisdictions, and state agencies during active disasters presents logistical challenges that could delay aid delivery

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

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