Assembly backs SB 11 53 to clarify water systems' role in wildfire planning
August 27, 2026 | Select Committee on Wildfire Prevention, Select Committees, California State Assembly, House, Legislative, California
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Assemblymember Calderon presented SB 11 53 as a bipartisan measure meant to strengthen local emergency planning and clarify how public water systems can support wildfire response.
"SB 11 53 improves local emergency planning, clarifies the role and capabilities of water systems during wildfire events, protects rate payers, and supports future investment in infrastructure," Assemblymember Calderon said, emphasizing that water systems were designed to provide drinking water and firefighting support but not to function as wildfire suppression systems.
Supporters described the bill as protecting ratepayers while allowing investments to harden infrastructure and identify suppression strategies the state can invest in. The measure drew bipartisan support on the floor and passed on a recorded roll call.
Lawmakers said the bill provides a practical set of tools to help communities plan for wildfire demands on water systems while aiming to avoid shifting costs to ratepayers without accountability.
"SB 11 53 improves local emergency planning, clarifies the role and capabilities of water systems during wildfire events, protects rate payers, and supports future investment in infrastructure," Assemblymember Calderon said, emphasizing that water systems were designed to provide drinking water and firefighting support but not to function as wildfire suppression systems.
Supporters described the bill as protecting ratepayers while allowing investments to harden infrastructure and identify suppression strategies the state can invest in. The measure drew bipartisan support on the floor and passed on a recorded roll call.
Lawmakers said the bill provides a practical set of tools to help communities plan for wildfire demands on water systems while aiming to avoid shifting costs to ratepayers without accountability.
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