Personal Income Tax Law: Corporation Tax Law: exemptions: wildfire.
Summary
Existing law establishes, in the Government Operations Agency, the Franchise Tax Board consisting of the Controller, the Director of Finance, and the Chairperson of the State Board of Equalization. Existing law prescribes various powers and duties to the Franchise Tax Board, including, among other things, the administration of state personal income taxes and corporation franchise and income taxes. The Personal Income Tax Law, in conformity with federal income tax laws, defines "gross income" as income from whatever source derived, except as specifically excluded, and provides various exclusions from income, including, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2021, and before January 1, 2030, an exclusion from income for any qualified taxpayer, as defined, for amounts received in settlement in connection with a wildfire in the state, as provided. This bill would amend the definitions provided in that exclusion from tax and would limit the exclusion to qualified amounts made in connection with a qualified wildfire disaster, as defined. This bill would also appropriate $10,000 from the General Fund to the Franchise Tax Board to administer qualified wildfire disaster settlements, as specified. This bill would include a change in state statute that would result in a taxpayer paying a higher tax within the meaning of Section 3 of Article XIIIA of the California Constitution, and thus would require for passage the approval of 23 of the membership of each house of the Legislature. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as a bill providing for appropriations related to the Budget Bill.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Sep 2025
Assembly Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 8, 2025
Last action Sep 13, 2025
Floor votes · Assembly Mar 20, 2025
How they voted
52–17
Passed · 10 other
Total votes 79
Mar 20, 2025
D
Democratic59
88% Yea
R
Republican20
85% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
15
Key actions
3
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Sep 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (September 10).
upper
Sep 8, 2025
Introduced
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on B. & F. R.
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Committee
Referred to Com. on B. & F. R.
upper
Mar 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 53. Noes 17. Page 742.)
lower
Feb 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Com. on BUDGET.
lower
Jan 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
From printer. May be heard in committee February 8.
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
No sponsor information available.
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about AB 159
Scope: CA
Hi! I can help you understand AB 159. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline