The California Senate has approved a trio of wildfire safety proposals from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would improve the ability to prevent and prepare for climate-driven infernos as they continue to pose a threat across the state.
“It’s imperative that we take action now to safeguard our communities and natural landscapes from the devastating impact of these increasingly frequent and intense wildfires,” Sen. Dodd said. “My proposals attack the problem on multiple fronts, incorporating prevention and response while maximizing our investment of taxpayer dollars. I appreciate my Senate colleagues for seeing the wisdom in this commonsense approach.”
Sen. Dodd has long been a leader in wildfire legislation, authoring more than a dozen bills signed into law.
This year, he continued that advocacy, introducing the following three bills to address the issue:
• Senate Bill 1003 would help ensure electrical utilities are pursuing the fastest and most cost-effective infrastructure improvements, safeguarding the public from future wildfires and saving money for ratepayers forced to cover the cost of more expensive repairs.
• SB 1014, the Wildfire Mitigation Planning Act, would help prevent and contain wildfires by coordinating efforts between state, federal and private entities, increasing overall wildfire safety effectiveness while maximizing California’s wildfire response investment.
• SB 1159 would help safeguard Californians from wildfires and protect the environment by streamlining the process for clearing combustible brush and trees alongside roads.
All three bills were approved by an overwhelming Senate vote and head next to the Assembly. They are supported by statewide wildfire and community groups.
Senate approves Dodd wildfire safety bills
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