Assembly BillFailedGovernment
AB 591: Emergency services: mutual aid: public works.
What AB 591 does, verified February 3, 2026
The bill aims to facilitate disaster response and recovery by adding public works resources to the list of aid that can be rendered during state emergencies. It requires the development and adoption of a public works emergency mutual aid plan to ensure the efficient mobilization of these resources. The bill also mandates that local public works agencies participate in this plan. If the commission on state mandates determines that the bill contains mandated costs, reimbursement will be made to local agencies and school districts. This bill is intended to support the state's emergency services and make it easier for public works agencies to provide critical resources during emergencies.
Bill journey
✓IntroducedComplete
2In CommitteeCurrent
3First Chamber FloorPending
4Second ChamberPending
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. (2026-02-02)Alert me
Author and sponsors
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| Feb. 02, 2026 | From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. |
| Jan. 31, 2026 | Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution. |
| May. 23, 2025 | In committee: Held under submission. |
| May. 21, 2025 | Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 1627.) |
| May. 21, 2025 | Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 1627.) |
Latest bill textIntroduced version, February 12, 2025 · 692 words
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 591
| Introduced by Assembly Member Caloza |
February 12, 2025 |
An act to amend Sections 8615 and 8616 of, and to add Section 8619.2 to, the Government Code, relating to state government.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 591, as introduced, Caloza. Emergency services: mutual aid: public works.
Existing law, the California Emergency Services Act, establishes the Office of Emergency Services within the Governor’s office under the supervision of the Director of Emergency Services and makes the office responsible for the state’s emergency and disaster response services. The office serves as the State Disaster Council for the purposes of the California Disaster and Civil Defense Master Mutual Aid Agreement. Existing law states it is the purpose of the Legislature to facilitate the rendering of aid to areas stricken by an emergency and to make unnecessary the execution of written agreements customarily entered into by public agencies exercising joint powers, and that emergency plans duly adopted and approved as provided by the Governor shall be effective as satisfying the requirement for mutual aid operational plans provided in the Master Mutual Aid Agreement. Existing law requires outside aid be rendered in accordance with approved emergency plans during any state of war emergency or state of emergency when the need arises in any county, city and county, or city.
This bill would additionally state that it is the purpose of the Legislature to facilitate the rendering of public works resources critical for disaster response and recovery to areas stricken by an emergency. The bill would require that outside aid rendered during any state of war emergency or state of emergency includes public works personnel, equipment, and materials. The bill would also require the Office of Emergency Services, in consultation with relevant local and state public works agencies, to develop and adopt a Public Works Emergency Mutual Aid Plan to ensure the systematic and efficient mobilization of public works resources during emergencies. By imposing requirements on public works agencies, which includes local public works agencies, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 8615 of the Government Code is amended to read:8615.
It is the purpose of the Legislature in enacting this article to facilitate the rendering of aid to areas stricken by anSEC. 2.
Section 8616 of the Government Code is amended to read:8616.
During any state of war emergency or state of emergency when the need arises for outside aid in any county, city and county, or city,It shall be the duty of public officials to cooperate to the fullest possible extent in carrying out such plans.
SEC. 3.
Section 8619.2 is added to the Government Code, to read:8619.2.
The Office of Emergency Services, in consultation with relevant local and state public works agencies, shall develop and adopt a Public Works Emergency Mutual Aid Plan to ensure the systematic and efficient mobilization of public works resources during emergencies.SEC. 4.
If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.Text of AB 591 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions