SACRAMENTO—Today, after an intense period of discussion, debate and negotiation, the Conference Committee passed its report responding to the many issues posed by the recent devastating wildfires. “We’ve lost 58 people to wildfires in the past two years and thousands of homes,” said Wood. “This is not a situation where we can celebrate a win. Lives were lost and homes were destroyed.

SACRAMENTO—This is a statement from Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa):

“As a member of the Wildfire Preparedness and Response Legislative Conference Committee, I won’t support a “solution” that doesn’t include, quite frankly, what’s in the title of this committee – and that’s prevention and response. We’ve lost 58 people to wildfires in the past two years. What more of a wake-up call do we need?

Sacramento, CA – Yesterday, Senator Mike McGuire, Assemblymember Jim Wood and elected officials in Humboldt County were notified the Eureka DMV office would be closing for nearly four months for renovations starting in mid-August. Bottom line: This was not acceptable.

When asked by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon if I would be willing to join the legislative Wildfire Preparedness and Response Conference Committee, of course I said yes. After all, the district that I proudly represent suffered the most – the most lives lost, the most structures destroyed, and the most livelihoods affected.  

The first of what I anticipate could be a series of meetings will be July 25, and the conference committee will almost certainly be focused on the issue of wildfire liability in those meetings. I want to be very clear that my role will be to ensure that the needs of fire survivors, taxpayers and utility ratepayers will take precedence, not the utility companies.