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Bill

AB 2475

Standardized emergency management system.

2025-2026 Regular Session

The bill requires more frequent after-action reports and annual recovery updates from state and local agencies to evaluate SEMS use after emergencies.

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (June 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
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Bill Summary · AB 2475

Overview

AB 2475, for the 2025-2026 California legislative session, would revise and expand requirements related to the standardized emergency management system and after-action reporting under the California Emergency Services Act. The bill aims to increase the frequency and scope of after-action reporting, add annual recovery updates, and extend and apply reporting obligations to local governments when a state of emergency is declared.

Main purpose and intent

  • Strengthen accountability and transparency in emergency management by mandating more frequent after-action assessments and ongoing recovery documentation.
  • Ensure both state and local agencies systematically review responses to declared emergencies and share findings with legislative committees.
  • Clarify that the standardized emergency management system (SEMS) is actively used and evaluated across agencies at all levels.

Key provisions and changes

  • After-action reports (state level)
    • Instead of a single after-action report within 180 days of a disaster declaration, the Office of Emergency Services (OES) would must produce two after-action reports:
    • First report within 180 days after a state of emergency declaration.
    • Second report no later than 180 days after the declared state of emergency ends.
  • Annual recovery updates
    • OES would draft annual written updates related to recovery activities.
    • These updates would be sent to the Assembly and Senate Committees on Emergency Management (and potentially other specified recipients as provided by the bill).
  • Local government reporting
    • Cities, counties, or city and county governments must complete an after-action report within 120 days after a local emergency declaration, for which the Governor has also proclaimed a state of emergency.
    • Local after-action reports must be made available to OES and other designated entities, and would fulfill the after-action-report requirement under applicable regulations.
  • Content of reports
    • After-action reports at both state and local levels would include information about the application and effectiveness of the standardized emergency management system, among other elements.
  • Financial and constitutional implications
    • The bill would create a state-mandated local program by imposing additional reporting duties on local agencies, triggering potential Mandate on Local Agencies implications.
    • If the California Commission on State Mandates determines cost mandates, reimbursement would follow existing state procedures for reimbursement to local agencies.

Who would be affected

  • State level: Office of Emergency Services (OES), and state emergency management agencies involved in SEMS implementation and reporting.
  • Local level: Cities, counties, and city and county governments within California that declare local emergencies concurrent with state emergencies.
  • Legislative committees: Assembly and Senate Committees on Emergency Management would receive the new and updated reports.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • State after-action reporting
    • First state-level after-action report due within 180 days of a state of emergency declaration.
    • Second state-level after-action report due within 180 days after the end of the declared state of emergency.
    • Annual recovery updates to be drafted and shared with the specified legislative committees.
  • Local after-action reporting
    • Local governments must produce an after-action report within 120 days after a local emergency declaration (where a state of emergency is also proclaimed).
  • Reporting deliverables
    • Reports (state and local) would be aligned with SEMS usage and assessment, documenting how SEMS was applied and effectiveness.
  • Compliance and funding
    • The bill contemplates potential state mandate reimbursements for local agencies if mandated costs are determined, following the Commission on State Mandates review.

Status and process highlights

  • As of May 18, 2026, the bill has been amended and read second time, with amendments ordered for return to second reading.
  • History shows committee amendments and passage in committee prior to advancement.
  • The bill is described as addressing a statewide concern and applying to all cities, including charter cities, under the California Constitution’s mandate reimbursement framework.

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

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