Four wildfire-safety bills from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, to help prevent and prepare for the kinds of climate change-driven infernos that have burned across California were signed into law today by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
“I thank Gov. Newsom for making it a priority to address this growing threat to my home district and the entire state,” Sen. Dodd said. “We must get a handle on these destructive blazes before they claim more lives and property. These are important steps that will go a long way toward protecting the public.”
The following bills passed both legislative chambers with overwhelming support and were signed by the governor:
Senate Bill 167 will help low-income people who rely on life-support equipment to receive backup power during public safety power shutoffs
SB 190 will assist in wildfire prevention and response by increasing awareness of and compliance with requirements for vegetation buffer zones.
SB 209 will establish the California Wildfire Warning Center, a statewide network of automated weather and environmental monitoring stations conducting fire-weather forecasting and threat assessment to aid in wildfire prevention and response.
SB 247 requires an independent third-party to oversee the clearing of vegetation from utility lines – the cause of numerous deadly fires.
“The approach of fire season underscores the need for immediate action,” Sen. Dodd said. “We can’t sit back and watch our state burn.”
Senator Bill Dodd represents California’s 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Yolo, Sacramento, and Contra Costa counties. You can learn more about Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.