Bill
AB 1467
AB 1467 would exempt residential homeowners from state and local fees or fines for removing a tree deemed a fire risk, identified by an insurer and CAL FIRE-confirmed.
Overview
- Purpose: Establish an exemption for residential property insurance policyholders from state and local laws, ordinances, fees, and fines associated with removing a tree that is identified as a fire risk by an insurer and confirmed by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).
- Introduced: February 21, 2025
- Status: Referred to the Committee on Insurance (INS)
- Legislative action timeline:
- 2025-02-21: Introduced
- 2025-02-22: From printer; may be heard in committee March 24
- 2025-02-24: Read first time
- 2025-03-13: Referred to Committee on INS
- Fiscal note: No appropriation requested; Fiscal Committee: Yes; Local Program: No
What AB 1467 would do
- Creates a new provision in the California Insurance Code (Section 2034) stating that if:
- an insurer identifies a tree on an insured residential property as a fire risk that requires removal, and
- CAL FIRE confirms that the tree is a fire risk,
- then the policyholder is exempt from state and local laws, ordinances, fees, and fines associated with the removal of the tree.
Key provisions
- New law: Adds Insurance Code Section 2034.
- Trigger: Insurer’s determination that a tree is a fire risk requiring removal, combined with CAL FIRE’s confirmation of the fire risk.
- Effect: The homeowner/policyholder is exempt from associated state/local regulatory costs and penalties linked to removing the tree.
- Scope: Applies specifically to removal of the tree deemed a fire risk; does not explicitly address who finances the removal, who performs it, or other non-removal regulatory requirements beyond fees/fines and ordinances.
Who would be affected
- Affected parties:
- Residential property insurance policyholders whose property contains a tree identified by their insurer as a fire risk requiring removal and confirmed by CAL FIRE.
- Insurance carriers that perform risk assessments and communicate determinations to homeowners.
- Local governments and municipalities that currently assess removal-related fees and enforce related ordinances (the exemption would mute those costs in covered cases).
Background context
- Existing framework includes: Regulation of residential fire and property insurance, and a requirement in wildfire-prone areas to maintain defensible space around structures (e.g., 100 feet). AB 1467 does not alter that defensible-space requirement; it provides a separate exemption related to tree removal costs/fees when a tree is deemed a fire risk.
Notes
- The bill’s language as introduced is precise about the exemption, but does not specify cost-sharing details or enforcement mechanisms beyond removal-related fees and ordinances. The actual impact will depend on final legislative language and any accompanying regulatory guidance.
- As introduced, there is no appropriation attached.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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