Gov. signed AB 817 and SB 716 to establish new contingency‑fund requirements and stronger local enforcement tools for communities affected by large‑scale facility emergencies, his office said.
The bills respond to lessons from the June 17 fire at a nearly 500,000-square-foot cold storage facility in Boyle Heights that burned for eight days and was followed by significant cleanup and public health challenges; the governor proclaimed a state of emergency. Both bills, by Senator (D‑Los Angeles) and Assemblymember (D‑Los Angeles), are California Latino Legislative Caucus priorities.
Under SB 716, local enforcement tools are strengthened by raising fines for violations of local ordinances that involve specified nonresidential structures of 20,000 square feet or more when the violations pose a threat to health and safety; enhanced penalties include higher fines for repeat violations and, in qualifying circumstances tied to a Governor-declared state of emergency or federal disaster declaration, fines may reach up to $50,000 per violation. Initially the enhanced penalties apply in Los Angeles County and then expand to qualifying areas elsewhere in the state beginning July 1, 2028.
AB 817 establishes new contingency-fund requirements for specified community needs at certain large cold storage facilities; the requirement applies to facilities within the Boyle Heights Community Plan boundary until July 1, 2028, and to qualifying facilities statewide beginning July 1, 2028.
The governor’s office said the measures give communities stronger tools to hold responsible parties accountable, support cleanup and recovery, and prepare for future emergencies; the release noted the state also secured federal disaster assistance, provided public-health and recovery resources, and coordinated debris removal and emergency response following the Boyle Heights fire.
Durazo said that with the signing, corporations that put communities at risk “will finally face consequences that reflect the harm they cause.” González said the measures give communities "a plan, resources, accountability, and the tools to act when our communities need their government most."
State
Gavin Newsom
Governor · Democrat
Named 2 times in this story.
Portrait: Official portrait
State
Maria Elena Durazo
State Senator · Democrat
Named 2 times in this story.
Portrait: Official portrait
State
Mark González
State Assembly Member · Democrat
Named once in this story.
Portrait: Official portrait
Sources & methodology
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