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Bill

AB 944

State government: emergency services: nonprofit service providers.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ali Macedo

AB 944 authorizes California to contract with nonprofit organizations to provide emergency and disaster response services, expanding state disaster response capacity through community partnerships.

In committee: Held under submission.
#stategovernment #emergencyservices #nonprofitserviceproviders
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Bill Summary · AB 944

Legislative bill overview

AB 944 establishes a framework allowing California state government to contract with and utilize nonprofit service providers during emergencies and disaster situations. The bill aims to expand the capacity of emergency response systems by formally integrating qualified nonprofit organizations into the state's emergency services coordination structure.

Why is this important

During major disasters and emergencies, government agencies often face resource constraints and need rapid scalability. By creating pathways for nonprofits to participate in emergency response, the state can leverage existing community organizations, volunteers, and specialized expertise (such as food banks, shelters, medical nonprofits) to augment official response efforts and potentially reduce response times and gaps in service delivery.

Potential points of contention

  • Liability and accountability concerns: Questions about who bears responsibility if nonprofit contractors cause harm or fail to meet standards, and whether adequate oversight mechanisms exist
  • Funding and cost implications: Unclear whether nonprofits receive full reimbursement for emergency services, potentially creating unfunded mandate concerns or burdening nonprofits financially
  • Definition and standards ambiguity: The bill may lack clear definitions of which nonprofits qualify, what performance standards they must meet, and how coordination with existing emergency agencies will function in practice

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

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