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Governor signs SB 901 and Asm. Wood’s wildfire legislation

For immediate release:

SACRAMENTO–Today Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., signed SB 901, a bill that will boost the state’s vegetation and forest management, increase requirements for utility infrastructure and protect ratepayers and utility workers. In addition, he signed 28 other wildfire-related bills including three authored by Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa).

“This is a great day for our state and the 2nd Assembly District,” said Wood. “The devastating wildfires this past year exposed significant gaps and deficiencies in how we protect our residents and help them face the significant challenges of rebuilding, and for that matter, surviving” said Wood. “I drew a line in the sand early on saying that I would absolutely not support a bill that did not protect fire victims and contain effective policies and resources for vegetation and forest management and early detection technology. I’m proud to have worked with my Republican colleague, Assemblymember Brian Dahle (R-Bieber), to ensure that these preventive measures and $1 billion in funding were included in SB 901.”

To assist in wildfire prevention, AB 2551, authored by Wood and signed by the Governor, will improve the ability of landowners to enter into agreements with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to conduct joint prescribed burns.

Many victims of the wildfires discovered that their homeowners’ insurance policy was not going to be enough to rebuild their homes and their lives. “AB 1875 will connect consumers who need residential property insurance with agents and brokers who can help find them the best policy to suit their needs, especially consumers looking for policies that will provide more than 100 percent coverage,” said Wood.

People also experienced price gouging, especially in the short-term rental markets. AB 1919 expands the scope of criminal price gouging during the declaration of an emergency. “We won’t tolerate people taking advantage of victims of disasters who need emergency housing. Many thanks to Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch for her assistance in crafting this legislation.”

This link to the Governor’s press release provides additional information on SB 901 and the additional 28 wildfire-related bills that were signed today.

“We will not forget the 58 people we have lost to wildfires this past year, but every bill the Governor signed today moves us closer to addressing the significant challenges we face as our climate changes and protecting the lives and property of every California,” said Wood.

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Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa) represents the 2nd Assembly District, which includes all of Del Norte, Trinity, Humboldt and Mendocino counties, plus northern and coastal Sonoma County, including the northern half of Santa Rosa.

Visit Assemblymember Jim Wood’s website, Facebook or Twitter @JimWoodAD2