California Wildfire Risk Bills Cruising Through Legislature
Two bills that are getting bipartisan support aimed at reducing wildfire risk in California are quickly making their way through state Legislature.
Senate Bill 894 and Senate Bill 1297, which both address wildfire risk reduction in the state, passed through their committees this week without opposition, and they are soon set to be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Both bills were introduced by state Sen. Ben Allen, D-Pacific Palisades, who is one of 11 candidates for California Insurance Commissioner.
Related: Public Interest Groups Backing California Homeowners Insurance Bills
SB 894 addresses home hardening and defensible space improvements and would establish the California Wildfire Resilience Loan Program. The bill is aimed at lowering financial barriers by providing low-interest loans for homeowners and small businesses to pursue risk-reduction projects.
SB 1297 would establish Regional Wildfire Public Private Partnerships to coordinate mitigation efforts between insurers, utilities, public agencies and nonprofits.
Top photo: The 2025 Pacific Palisades wildfire. Photo by CalFire.