Bill > AB1253

This bill modifies California property tax assessment rules for properties damaged or destroyed by fire, specifically focusing on reconstruction efforts in certain areas affected by 2025 fire disasters. Currently, California law generally prevents property tax reassessments when property is reconstructed to be substantially equivalent to its pre-damage state. This bill specifically addresses situations where government actions mandate changes to rebuild development standards, allowing assessors more flexibility in determining "substantial equivalence" for properties in Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, Sunset, and Woodley. By adding language that references Section 70.5 and allowing assessors to align their evaluation with government-mandated reconstruction requirements, the bill aims to facilitate easier rebuilding after fire damage while protecting property owners from potential tax increases. The bill maintains the fundamental principle that property reconstructed to be substantially the same as before should not trigger a new property tax assessment, but provides additional guidance for cases where reconstruction standards have been modified by government mandate.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1253