Press Releases

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

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. These wildfires were a wake-up call that demanded our full commitment and attention to protect the victims and minimize the impact future fires can and will have on our communities.”

Friday, August 17, 2018

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?

Friday, July 27, 2018

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.

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

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.

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

SACRAMENTO–On June 25, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued approval of a new drug, Epidiolex, to treat seizures associated with two severe childhood-onset epilepsies, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome. Epidiolex is the first prescription, plant-derived cannabinoid (CBD) in the category of anti-epileptic drugs and has been approved to treat children two years of age or older.

“That was great news but we discovered a problem that would have prohibited patients from receiving it,” said Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa). “Prior to this bill, any product that contained CBD was considered a Schedule I Controlled Substance under California statute, and because of that doctors wouldn’t be allowed to prescribe it, but AB 710 fixes that.”

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

SACRAMENTO—Yesterday Governor Brown signed AB 2229, one of several bills Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa) has introduced to address the many challenges residents have experienced related to California’s wildfires and the rebuilding process.

“I introduced this bill to require insurance companies to provide more clear and definitive information about available discounts and fire safety programs to policyholders and to incentivize homeowners to better understand and take advantage of any fire safety-related discounts offered by their insurer,” said Wood.

Monday, July 2, 2018

Sacramento, CA – North Coast legislators Assemblymember Jim Wood and Senator Mike McGuire are pleased the North Coast Regional Office of the Bureau of Cannabis Control is open for business starting today, providing a one-stop shop for local residents to do business with the state. 

Wood and McGuire successfully fought for the North Coast Regional Office to be included in last year’s budget.