California AB 1872 increases penalties for repeat false emergency reporting and expands liability for response costs
August 13, 2026
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The Frame
This bill increases the potential criminal penalties for repeat offenders and expands the scope of financial restitution required from individuals who trigger emergency responses through false reports.
Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.
Public emergency response agencies
These agencies may recover costs for property damage in addition to response costs from individuals convicted of false reporting.
Individuals convicted of false emergency reporting
Repeat offenders face increased criminal penalties and expanded financial liability for property damage.
Last recorded activity August 13, 2026.
Introduced.
Summary
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I am convicted of false reporting more than once?
Am I responsible for property damage caused by an emergency response to a false report?
Why It Matters
This bill increases the potential criminal penalties for repeat offenders and expands the scope of financial restitution required from individuals who trigger emergency responses through false reports.
News Coverage
Lobbying Activity
SYLVIA C. MICHAS
on behalf of FALSE HOPE BRAND CO.
SYLVIA C. MICHAS
on behalf of FALSE HOPE BRAND CO.
SYLVIA C. MICHAS
on behalf of FALSE HOPE BRAND CO.
1607 STRATEGIES, LLC
on behalf of American Property Casualty Insurance Association
2022
“Issues relating to the reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program and other issues related to flood insurance products. Marijuana impairment research. S. 2428, False Claims Amendments Act of 2021, provisions affecting tort liability. Issues relating to cyber insurance. H.R. 1996, Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act of 2021, provisions relating to insurance of cannabis businesses.”
1607 STRATEGIES, LLC
on behalf of American Property Casualty Insurance Association
2022
“Issues relating to the reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program and other issues related to flood insurance products. Marijuana impairment research. S. 2428, False Claims Amendments Act of 2021, provisions affecting tort liability. Issues relating to cyber insurance. H.R. 1996, Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act of 2021, provisions relating to insurance of cannabis businesses.”
1607 STRATEGIES, LLC
on behalf of American Property Casualty Insurance Association
2021
“Issues relating to the reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program and other issues related to flood insurance products. Marijuana impairment research. S. 2428, False Claims Amendments Act of 2021, provisions affecting tort liability. Issues relating to cyber insurance. H.R. 1996, Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act of 2021, provisions relating to insurance of cannabis businesses.”
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Expansion of Financial Liability
The bill shifts the financial burden of false reporting from just the cost of the response to include physical property damage.
Connected Entities
Sources
openstates.org
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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