SB 616: Community Hardening Commission: wildfire mitigation program.

This bill establishes the Community Hardening Commission, an independent unit within the Department of Insurance, to reduce fire risk and improve access to fire insurance. The commission will be advised by an advisory council and will develop new wildfire community hardening standards, which must be completed by July 1, 2027, and submitted to the legislature. The commission will also make recommendations to the insurance commissioner, the Office of Emergency Services, and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection on wildfire mitigation and community hardening. Additionally, the commission will review and update the standards periodically, and the Department of Insurance will develop guidelines for aggregating and sharing wildfire risk data. The bill also requires reimbursement for costs mandated by the state, if determined by the Commission on State Mandates.