The Joint Hearing of the Joint Legislative Audit and the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management convened on March 5, 2025, to discuss critical updates regarding emergency management planning in California. The meeting focused on the outcomes of recent audits and the legislative requirements for local emergency plans.

One of the key discussions highlighted the positive changes implemented by the legislature following the audit findings. It was noted that the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is now mandated to review the quality of emergency planning at the local level. This review process includes input from Access and Functional Needs (AFN) groups, ensuring that the adequacy of emergency alerts and sheltering plans is assessed from diverse perspectives.

A significant point raised during the meeting was the status of emergency plans submitted by various counties, particularly Los Angeles. Questions were posed regarding whether Los Angeles had complied with the new legislative requirements by submitting their emergency plan to Cal OES. The discussion also sought to understand Cal OES's evaluation of these plans and the feedback provided to Los Angeles and other jurisdictions by both Cal OES and the AFN groups.

The meeting underscored the importance of effective emergency management planning and the role of legislative oversight in enhancing the preparedness of local agencies. As the hearing concluded, participants emphasized the need for ongoing collaboration between state agencies and local governments to ensure that emergency plans are not only submitted but also effectively address the needs of all community members.