CPF Pro-Firefighter Bills Signed by Governor 2025
CPF's strong pro-firefighter advocacy in Sacramento has once again yielded major victories for public safety professionals in 2025. These bills cover areas important to firefighters and their communities, including firefighter health and safety, workers’ compensation presumptions, protecting public resources, and pension security. Below is a summary of the measures that are now law.
CPF-sponsored legislation signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom
AB 1181 (Haney): Prohibit PFAS in Firefighter Turnouts
Following the recent adoption of NFPA 1970, legislation will provide authority to Cal OSHA to adopt a more protective standard than what is outlined by NFPA. This more protective standard will ensure that PPE is free not only of PFAS but also regrettable substitutes, such as brominated flame retardants, that may be used by manufacturers as a replacement. Status: Signed by the Governor on October 6th
SB 230 (Laird): Expand Worker’s Compensation Presumptions to Include DOD and Industrial Locals
The existing workers’ compensation presumptions do not consistently apply to both federal and industrial locals. SB 230 will close the gap that currently exists for federal firefighters as well as firefighters employed at NASA installations and airports. This measure will ensure that all firefighters who are injured in the line of duty have access to these important protections. Status: Signed by the Governor on October 6th
SB 301 (Grayson): Preventing 1937 Act Exclusions
This measure ensures that agencies that contract with 1937 Act retirement system are not able to exclude certain classes of employees from their pension plan. This measure extends the protections enacted by AB 2967 (O’Donnell, 2020) that only applied to CalPERS. Status: Signed by the Governor on October 13th
SB 283 (Laird): Battery Energy Storage Facilities
Given the recent increase in battery energy storage facility fires, it is clear that policy action is necessary. CPF is collaborating with the IBEW to strengthen the statewide permitting process at the California Energy Commission. This bill will require that project applicants meet and confer with fire agencies, require fire inspections be a part of the proposed project, and require the Office of the State Fire Marshal to consider facility location during the next update of the building standards. Status: Signed by the Governor on October 6th
AB 841 (Patel): Lithium-ion battery health and safety
CPF members are continually responding to fires involving lithium-ion batteries, whether they are vehicles, homes, or large energy storage systems. After a series of injuries, it is clear that more assessment and recommendations are needed on updates to personal protective equipment (PPE), PPE cleaning practices, and health screening when it comes to response to these fires and post-fire practices. This measure will direct the Office of the State Fire Marshal to bring together experts to make recommendations on these core issues in order to enhance protections for firefighters.
AB 1075 (Bryan): Privately contracted private fire prevention resources: public water supply
This measure would direct the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to update existing regulations for these resources to include a prohibition on them accessing public water supply through fire hydrants unless approved by the Incident Command. This is needed in order to maintain access for public fire agencies during an emergency incident. Fire response is a public good and must be protected.