AB 588 (Patel) Brings Firefighters, Experts, and Property Owners Together to Build Safer Standards 

SACRAMENTO, CA – Yesterday, in a unanimous bipartisan vote, the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management passed Assembly Bill 588, authored by Assemblymember Darshana Patel (D-San Diego). AB 588, a bill sponsored by the California Business Properties Association (CBPA), creates a first-of-its-kind working group within the Office of the State Fire Marshal to develop urgently needed safety standards for lithium-ion battery systems and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. As California accelerates its clean energy transition, AB 588 ensures that public safety remains a top priority alongside innovation. 

"California’s transition to clean energy must be paired with a commitment to public safety," said Assemblymember Patel. "This bill is about giving our Fire Marshals, builders, and businesses the tools they need to ensure that as we move toward a greener future, we’re also doing everything we can to protect lives and property. I am proud to see bipartisan support for this important effort." 

California’s rapid deployment of battery storage systems and EV charging stations has outpaced the development of clear, consistent safety guidance, leaving firefighters, property owners, and local officials to navigate significant risks. AB 588 will bring together experts from the fire service, academia, building and electrical industries, and commercial property owners to create best practices, training materials, and practical guidance that will help manage these new technologies safely. 

"The commercial real estate industry is committed to supporting California’s environmental goals, but safety must be part of the equation," said Matthew Hargrove, President and CEO of CBPA. "AB 588 is a smart, proactive step to ensure that property owners and local officials have clear, practical guidance for safely managing lithium battery systems. We thank Assemblymember Patel for her leadership and the committee for recognizing the importance of this issue." 

The bill now moves to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further consideration. 

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Established in 1972, CBPA proudly serves as the legislative and regulatory advocate for property owners, tenants, developers, retailers, contractors, land use attorneys, brokers, and other professionals in the commercial real estate industry representing their legislative and regulatory interests in California’s Capital and in Washington, D.C. 

CBPA is the largest commercial real estate consortium with over 10,000 industry members and is the designated legislative advocate for ICSC, the California Chapters of the Commercial Real Estate Development Association (NAIOP Cal), the Building Owners and Managers Association of California (BOMA Cal), the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), and the Association of Commercial Real Estate – Northern and Southern California (ACRE), and AIR CRE.