CA SB616

Establishes the Community Hardening Commission as an independent unit within the Department of Insurance, chaired by the Insurance Commissioner and composed of seven members including the State Fire Marshal, Director of Housing and Community Development, and Director of Emergency Services

Requires the commission to meet at least quarterly beginning January 1, 2026, to develop new wildfire community hardening standards addressing home hardening guidelines, community wildfire mitigation best practices, water and electrical service reliability, evacuation routes, and vegetation management

Mandates completion of new community hardening standards by July 1, 2027, along with a legislative report on actions needed to support cities, counties, and residents in home hardening and wildfire mitigation efforts

Requires the Department of Insurance to develop guidelines by July 1, 2027 for a wildfire data sharing platform that aggregates parcel-, neighborhood-, and community-level wildfire risk data from state and local agencies

Creates a nine-member advisory council including representatives from scientific research institutions, the insurance industry, consumers, local governments, building industry, and fire chiefs to advise the commission