California bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session
California SB 234
Wildfires: workgroup: toxic heavy metals.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became law
Sponsors
- Niello (Republican)
Cosponsors (1)
- Allen (Democratic)
Summary
Official abstract published by the California legislature· summary
Existing law requires the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to do certain things with respect to fire prevention, including organizing fire crews and patrols.
This bill would require, upon appropriation by the Legislature, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Office of Emergency Services, and the Department of Toxic Substances Control, in consultation with specified entities, to form a workgroup related to exposure to toxic heavy metals after a wildfire. The bill would require the workgroup to do certain things, including establishing best practices and recommendations for wildfire-impacted communities, first responders, and other personnel engaged in wildfire response and cleanup to avoid exposure to heavy metals after a wildfire, including outreach. The bill would authorize the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to contract with public universities, research institutions, and other technical experts to support the work of the workgroup. The bill would require the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Office of Emergency Services, and the Department of Toxic Substances Control to report their findings to the Legislature not more than 3 years after the convening of the first meeting of the workgroup.
Text versions
- 06/27/25 - Amended Assembly· Jun 27, 2025
- 05/23/25 - Amended Senate· May 23, 2025
- 04/09/25 - Amended Senate· Apr 9, 2025
- 01/28/25 - Introduced· Jan 28, 2025
- SB234
Roll-call votes
State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 8:06 AM.
| Date | Vote | Result | Your legislators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2025 House | Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| Jun 23, 2025 House | Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| May 28, 2025 Senate | 3rd Reading SB234 Niello et al. | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| May 23, 2025 Senate | Do pass as amended | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| May 12, 2025 Senate | Placed on suspense file | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| Apr 30, 2025 Senate | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| Mar 25, 2025 Senate | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Environmental Quality] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar | pass | Set your home in California to see |
Actions
- Aug 29, 2025 · House
August 29 hearing: Held in committee and under submission. - Jul 16, 2025 · House
July 16 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file. - Jul 2, 2025 · House
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (July 1). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. - Jun 27, 2025 · House
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E.S & T.M. - Jun 24, 2025 · House
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on E.S & T.M. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (June 23). Re-referred to Com. on E.S & T.M. - Jun 5, 2025 · House
Referred to Coms. on NAT. RES. and E.S & T.M. - May 28, 2025 · House
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk. - May 28, 2025 · Senate
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 37. Noes 0. Page 1282.) Ordered to the Assembly. - May 27, 2025 · Senate
Read second time. Ordered to third reading. - May 23, 2025 · Senate
Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading. - May 23, 2025 · Senate
From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 1192.) (May 23). - May 16, 2025 · Senate
Set for hearing May 23. - May 12, 2025 · Senate
May 12 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file. - May 2, 2025 · Senate
Set for hearing May 12. - May 1, 2025 · Senate
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0. Page 963.) (April 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. - Apr 9, 2025 · Senate
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E.Q. - Apr 2, 2025 · Senate
Set for hearing April 30. - Mar 25, 2025 · Senate
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on E.Q. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0. Page 532.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on E.Q. - Mar 12, 2025 · Senate
Set for hearing March 25. - Feb 5, 2025 · Senate
Referred to Coms. on N.R. & W. and E.Q. - Jan 29, 2025 · Senate
From printer. May be acted upon on or after February 28. - Jan 28, 2025 · Senate
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.