New Consumer Protection Laws For Wildfire Survivors

CALIFORNIA — Gov. Jerry Brown signed a suite of bills on Friday aimed at preventing wildfire danger and implementing protections and assistance for wildfire survivors.

Senate Bill 901, which won bipartisan support in the legislature, was introduced by State Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, and requires better forest management practices, increased fuel-reduction efforts, de-energizing of
power lines during extreme weather and using ratepayer protection bonds for utilities.

"This new law is the most comprehensive wildfire prevention and safety package the state has passed in decades," Dodd said in a statement.

"It will help prevent further loss of life and property while ensuring ratepayers aren't left holding the bag."

Two other Dodd-sponsored bills include SB 894, which helps homeowners reduce the huge financial burden when significantly underinsured and unable to afford to rebuild, and SB 969, which requires new electric
garage-door openers to be equipped with backup batteries, preventing people from being trapped in their garages during power failures caused by wildfires. Last October's devastating Wine Country wildfires caused widespread outages, leaving many people unable to open their garage doors for escape.

Assembly Bill 1800, sponsored by Assemblymember Marc Levine, D-Marin County, allows homeowners who lose their houses in wildfires to use their insurance to rebuild on a different lot or buy a home at another
location.

Assembly Bill 1772, introduced by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters, extends the amount of time a home or business owner has to rebuild an insured property.

AB 1875 from Assemblymember Jim Wood, D-Santa Rosa, provides extended-replacement-cost coverage options for property owners.

And AB 2594 from Assemblymember Laura Friedman, D-Glendale, extends the period a consumer can sue their insurer following a declared disaster from 12 months to 24 months.

"Fire survivors deserve maximum flexibility in their recovery efforts," Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said. "These bills will help consumers try to get back on their feet after devastating wildfires."

— Bay City News contributed to this report; Image courtesy Al Francis of Napasonomaphotos

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