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AB-588 • 2026

State Fire Marshal: lithium battery working group: membership: funding.

State Fire Marshal: lithium battery working group: membership: funding.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Patel
Last action
Official status
Assembly - Died - Appropriations
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date is not listed in the provided metadata, though existing law mentions regulations starting January 1, 2026.

Creating a Working Group on Lithium Battery Safety

This law creates a new group to study fire safety risks from lithium batteries in buildings and makes money available for the work.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the Office of the State Fire Marshal to start a lithium battery working group with members selected by the State Fire Marshal.
  • Asks the group to find safety problems with lithium batteries and charging equipment used near or inside homes and businesses that are not covered in the 2025 Edition of the California Building Standards Code.
  • Directs the group to suggest ways to make buildings safer for the State Fire Marshal and other agencies to consider.
  • Sets a deadline of January 1, 2027, for the group to finish its first report with research and recommendations.
  • Makes money from the Building Standards Administration Special Revolving Fund available to pay for this work if lawmakers approve it.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Office of the State Fire Marshal
  • Members selected by the State Fire Marshal to join the working group
  • People who live in or use residential and commercial buildings with lithium batteries

Terms To Know

Lithium battery
A type of storage battery included under existing laws for electric bicycles, powered mobility devices, and other equipment.
Building Standards Code
The official rules that say how buildings must be built to stay safe from fire and electrical problems.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The law does not state the exact dollar amount of money set aside for this work.
  • Funding is only available if lawmakers approve it through an appropriation process.
  • The working group only looks at safety issues not already covered by building rules as of January 1, 2026.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Assembly - Died - Appropriations

Official Summary Text

State Fire Marshal: lithium battery working group: membership: funding.