Local government: emergency response services: use of languages other than English.

Removed a typographical error in Section 7299.7(a)(1), changing 'emergency within a the local agency's jurisdiction' to 'emergency within the local agency's jurisdiction.'

Updated bill headers from amendment history to enrolled format, adding passage dates (Assembly August 13, 2026; Senate August 10, 2026), Governor receipt block, and approval signature line.

Senator Umberg added as principal coauthor and Senator Rubio added as coauthor, reflecting a change in legislative sponsorship.

Minor grammatical correction in Section 7299.7(a)(1): 'a local agency's jurisdiction' changed to 'the local agency's jurisdiction.'

Local agencies may now use 'data from an equally reliable source' in addition to American Community Survey data when determining whether speakers of a language comprise at least 5% of the population that speaks English less than 'very well.' Previously, only ACS data was referenced.

A new paragraph (f)(2) was added stating that the section does not prohibit a local agency from adopting more expansive standards than those set forth in the bill. This is an explicit preemption savings clause allowing local governments to exceed the state's minimum requirements for emergency language translation.

The legislative counsel's digest changed 'Vote: majority 2/3' to 'Vote: 2/3,' a minor wording clarification with no substantive effect.

Added an urgency clause (new Section 2) declaring the bill takes effect immediately upon signing, citing the need for local agencies to be able to provide translations during emergencies. The required vote changed from a simple majority to a two-thirds majority, as is constitutionally required for urgency statutes.

Removed the 'commencing January 1, 2025' effective date and the 'By January 1, 2025' deadline for agencies to determine which languages meet the threshold. These are no longer needed because the urgency clause makes the law effective immediately.

Removed the condition that a local agency must 'provide emergency response services' as a prerequisite for the translation requirement. The old version limited the obligation to agencies providing police, fire, or emergency medical services; the new version applies to all local agencies (cities, counties, city and counties, or departments thereof) whose population meets the 5 percent threshold.

Simplified subdivision (a)(1) by removing the 'jointly speak a language other than English' language from the main trigger. The determination of which specific languages require translation is still handled in subdivision (b)(2), but the overall structure is streamlined.

All amendments to Government Code Section 54220 relating to surplus land disposal, housing declarations, park and recreation purposes, and transit station development were removed entirely. The bill no longer touches on surplus land policy.

A new methodology is added for determining which languages meet the translation threshold: a local agency must first calculate the total population in its jurisdiction that speaks English less than 'very well,' then for each language in American Community Survey data, determine whether speakers of that language who speak English less than 'very well' comprise at least 5 percent of that LEP total.

The state agency responsible for surveying local agencies every three years to assess compliance is changed from the Office of Planning and Research to the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, reflecting a state agency reorganization.

The emergency translation requirement in subdivision (a) is restructured with additional clarifying language stating that a local agency shall translate emergency information if 5 percent or more of the population within the jurisdiction speak English less than 'very well,' making the trigger condition more explicit.

Adds an entirely new Government Code Section 7299.7 requiring local agencies providing emergency response services (police, fire, EMS) in jurisdictions where 5% or more of the population speaks English less than 'very well' to provide emergency information in each qualifying language in addition to English.

The original surplus land change (replacing 'transit stations' with 'transit stops' in Section 54220 legislative declarations) is retained but renumbered from Section 1 to Section 2 of the bill.

Changes the existing requirement from providing information 'in all languages spoken jointly by the 5 percent or more of the population' to 'in each language spoken jointly by 5 percent or more of the population,' meaning each individual language meeting the threshold must be provided rather than only those languages collectively spoken by the combined group.

Requires local agencies to use American Community Survey data (or equally reliable source) by January 1, 2025 to determine qualifying languages, and to reassess that data every five years.

Requires that translated emergency information be as comprehensive, actionable, and timely as the English version, and directs agencies to use community members with relevant cultural competencies and language skills, including native speakers who also speak English fluently when feasible.

Requires the Office of Planning and Research to survey a sample of local agencies every three years starting January 1, 2027 to assess compliance and report findings to the Legislature.

Defines 'emergency' (situation calling for immediate action to respond to threat of serious harm or mass casualties), 'emergency response services' (police, fire, or emergency medical services), and 'local agency' (city, county, city and county, or department thereof).