AB-2370 • 2026

Public Safety Communications Division.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Arambula
Last action: 2026-05-14
Official status: In committee: Held under submission.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text does not provide details on enforcement or penalties for violations.

Public Safety Communications Division

This law makes the Public Safety Communications Division responsible for managing statewide public safety communication systems and sets rules about who can make decisions related to these systems.

What This Bill Does

Makes the Public Safety Communications Division in California the main group that handles all state-wide emergency communications.
Requires state public agencies to use the communication systems set up by this division.
Prohibits state or local agencies from entering into contracts for technical, maintenance, or system support services without approval from the Office of Emergency Services.
Prohibits state and local agencies participating in statewide public safety communications systems from delegating, assigning, or contracting essential operations, duties, or functions related to these systems without approval from the office.

Who It Names or Affects

State and local government agencies in California
People who work on emergency communication systems

Terms To Know

Public Safety Communications Division: A part of the Office of Emergency Services that deals with managing statewide public safety communications.
Emergency Services Act: California law that sets rules for emergency preparedness and response activities.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if a state agency violates the new rules.
It is unclear how this will affect existing contracts or agreements between agencies before the bill was passed.
The exact details of how the division will manage and coordinate communications are not provided.

Bill History

2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
In committee: Held under submission.
2026-04-29 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (April 13). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-07 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on E.M.
2026-04-06 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on E.M. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-09 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on E.M.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.
2026-02-19 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2370, as amended, Arambula.
Public Safety Communications Division.
Existing law, the California Emergency Services Act, sets forth the duties of the Office of Emergency Services with respect to specified emergency preparedness, mitigation, and response activities within the state. Existing law establishes the Public Safety Communications Division within the office and prescribes certain duties in regard to statewide public safety communications systems, including providing for coordination of, and comment on, plans, policies, and operational requirements from departments that utilize public safety communications in support of their principal function.
This bill would make the above-described duties the exclusive responsibility of the division and prohibit a state public agency from performing those duties, subject to certain exceptions. The bill would require the division to serve as the primary authority for
all statewide and interjurisdictional public safety communications, and to provide oversight, management, and ongoing coordination of all statewide public safety communications systems. The bill would require state public agencies to utilize the public safety communications systems established and maintained under these provisions. The bill would prohibit the
division,
division or
a state public
agency, or a local public
agency from entering into a contract for a technical, maintenance, or system support services without approval by the office. The bill would also prohibit a state
or local
public agency participating in the statewide public safety
communications system from delegating, assigning, or entering into a contract for essential operation, duties, or functions of public safety communications, without approval or authorization from the office, as specified. The bill would require a state public agency, if it enters into a contract within the scope of work of the division staff, to notify the division’s state bargaining representative immediately via email and make their best effort to connect with representative.
The bill would include findings that changes proposed by this bill address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including charter cities.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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