Summary
SB-904 will ensure equal urgency and mobilization for reconstruction efforts relating to future wildfire disasters during a Governor declared State of Emergency by codifying provisions of Executive Order N-4-25.
Background
In January 2025, Los Angeles County was devastated by several wildfires including the destructive Palisades Fire which destroyed 6,831 structures and damaged 973 in the total affected area according to CalFire. These fires prompted an unprecedented response to streamline permitting and rebuilding through a number of executive orders including N-4-25 which suspended California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Coastal Act provisions for reconstruction efforts in the disaster area and also required a number of agency reports in order to meet the order’s stated goal of “issuing all necessary permits and approvals within 30 days.”
While Public Resources Code Section 30610(g) and 21080(b) already provide Coastal Act and CEQA exemptions in for disaster rebuilds in statute, the legal clarity and broad agency coordination initiated by Executive Order N-4-25 signaled a strong commitment to the restoration of residents’ homes and communities. The agency coordination efforts included reporting requirements from relevant agencies to identify “state permitting requirements that may unduly impede efforts to rebuild properties or facilities destroyed as a result of this emergency” in addition to a review in conjunction with other relevant agencies of the State Building Standards Code “to facilitate rapid, safe, and cost-effective rebuilding and recovery.” Local governments were also included in these agency reviews and collaborations to achieve the stated permitting goals of the order.
While different executive orders are tailored to the needs of different emergencies, this kind of commitment to reconstruction should be standard procedure for all future wildfire disasters. Unfortunately, devastating wildfires are all too common in California and many residents in other disaster areas such as those affected by the Camp Fire in 2018 could have benefited from similar coordination and support.
Proposal
SB-904 solidifies the state’s commitment to post-wildfire rebuilding efforts by codifying the agency coordination and reporting requirements established in Executive Order N-4-25, including the goal of issuing all necessary permits and approvals within 30 days for future wildfire disasters resulting from a Governor declared State of Emergency.