California Senator To Introduce Fire Prevention Bill

LOS ANGELES, CA -- A Southland lawmaker Wednesday announced proposed state legislation that he said would promote fire prevention efforts and ensure Californians can continue to obtain fire insurance.

Sen. Ricardo Lara, D-Bell Gardens, said he will formally introduce language for the Wildfire Safety and Recovery Act in the legislative session that begins in January, and that it will help California adapt to the "new normal" of extreme wildfires.

"Extreme wildfire in California is the new normal, and rising temperatures are putting more and more of our state in the fire zone," Lara said. "As we are seeing in Los Angeles, Ventura and Sonoma counties, what was historically a rural crisis is now an urban crisis, too. We have to prevent an insurance crisis that contributes to California's housing shortage."

Lara also said the Wildfire Safety and Recovery Act "will harness the power of the insurance market, homeowners and local communities to prevent wildfire disaster and speed fire-safe recovery."

According to Lara's office, the aim of the legislation is to:

-- prevent insurance companies from dropping or non-renewing customers following a wildfire disaster

-- require insurance companies to offer mitigation discounts and continued coverage to homeowners who make investments in wildfire safety

-- require approval by the Department of Insurance before insurance companies reduce the volume of policies in high-risk areas, in order to minimize market disruptions for homeowners and communities

"More Californians are at risk from catastrophic wildfire, and many are taking steps to protect themselves and their property," said Placer County Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery. "Instead of dropping customers and putting insurance out of reach statewide, the Wildfire Safety and Recovery Act will allow insurers to continue to profitably invest in California and support responsible property owners and local communities who are stepping up to be fire safe."

Lara's office said California and local laws require homeowners to maintain a defensible space of 100 feet around structures and fire-resistant building materials in new homes. Owners can also harden their home with fire- resistant roofing and other materials, and by covering chimneys and vents.

The Wildfire Safety and Recovery Act would require insurance companies to offer discounts to homeowners who take additional steps to protect their homes and spur increased investments in fire prevention, according to Lara's office.

If passed, the legislation would have California joining states, including Arkansas, South Carolina, Texas, New York and Florida, that prohibit or limit insurance companies from canceling or non-renewing policies following a natural disaster.

--City News Service/Photo courtesy of Sen. Ricardo Lara's office