SACRAMENTO—Today Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) announced a $536 million funding plan to help improve California’s resilience to wildfires.
“We know that fire season is looming and I am grateful for the work that has gone into this critical funding deal,” said Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa). “It includes:
- $278 million that upholds the annual funding commitment I requested three years ago in SB 901 – the bill that addressed the devastating wildfires of 2017.
- $25 million to fund home hardening efforts as laid out in my bill AB 38, which was signed two years ago, and has lacked funding due to state budget constraints. That $25 million will allow us to seek $75 million in matching federal funds from FEMA.
- $50 million in funding for the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program as designed in my bill AB 9 which I just introduced earlier this year.
These funds are critical to getting work started on the ground now before our fire season is at its highest risk. With a very possible drought year ahead of us, we absolutely have to do everything possible to avoid another devastating wildfire season. Proven, shovel-ready projects are ready to go and will be able to start as soon as funding is available. This funding serves our immediate needs but I look forward to more funding coming in June when the rest of the 2021-22 budget is signed.”
Details on the funding package can be found in SB 85 and AB 79.
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