CA SB959

Expands the authority to determine "imminence of a major safety hazard" for school attendance purposes to include local fire agencies, in addition to local law enforcement agencies already authorized under existing law

Allows school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools to maintain their state funding based on estimated average daily attendance when emergencies (fire, flood, earthquake, epidemic, safety hazards, etc.) cause material decreases in actual attendance

Declared an urgency statute requiring a 2/3 vote, taking effect immediately upon passage due to wildfire dangers and the need to protect student safety on campuses in high-risk areas

Introduced February 3, 2026 by Senator Grayson with bipartisan support from 14 Senate coauthors and 2 Assembly coauthors