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By Bo Tefu | California Black Media
Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) and a coalition of California Senators have unveiled the Golden State Commitment, a sweeping legislative package designed to strengthen California’s wildfire response and improve recovery efforts.
The package addresses wildfire prevention, recovery, and insurance issues, aiming to make communities safer from future wildfires.
Following the recent firestorms in Los Angeles County, the Senate has introduced 13 bills aimed at accelerating wildfire recovery and enhancing fire resilience statewide. Key measures include speeding up residential rebuilds, providing property tax relief, protecting consumers from price gouging, and expanding insurance protections for homeowners, tenants, and small businesses. The plan also includes support for rebuilding health facilities and school districts affected by wildfires.
In addition to recovery efforts, the Golden State Commitment focuses on long-term fire prevention. Notable provisions include transitioning 3,000 CAL FIRE seasonal workers to permanent positions, establishing a community hardening insurance commission and implementing stricter fire-safety regulations for landscaping and construction in high-risk areas.
McGuire emphasized the urgency of addressing the year-round fire season.
“These bills are essential to helping communities stabilize in the aftermath of a wildfire and ensuring California is more fire-ready and resilient for decades to come,” said McGuire.
Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) highlighted tax relief measures for fire victims, while Sen. Angelique Ashby (D- Sacramento) pushed for protections against fraudulent contractors preying on disaster victims. Other provisions focus on criminal penalties for looting and ensuring defensible space around properties.
