(L-R)Judy Mathews, Christy Zamani, Gavin Newsom, Nic Arnzen, Sasha Renée Pérez, Victoria Knapp, Jill Hawkins, Kathryn Barger
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed four pieces of legislation aimed at supporting fire survivors across Southern California as they recover from the devastating 2025 wildfires.
By News Desk
These new laws are designed to assist homeowners, renters, small businesses, and communities affected by the wildfires, focusing on long-term resilience and economic recovery.
“This is a significant step forward for fire survivors who have faced tremendous loss and are now navigating the recovery process,” said Senator Sasha Renée Pérez. “Our four pieces of legislation signed into law will help speed up our recovery, ensure people can remain in their homes, and rebuild. While the road to recovery may be long, I remain committed to supporting my constituents in Altadena, Pasadena, and the Greater Los Angeles region.”
Key Legislation Signed Into Law
The four bills address the needs of homeowners, tenants, small businesses, and entire communities. The laws emphasize resilience and economic recovery in the wake of the wildfires:
- SB 293 – Generational Homeownership Protection Act
This bill tackles the unique challenges faced by families inheriting properties impacted by the wildfires. It creates a pathway for homeowners to update property transfer records without incurring financial penalties, ensuring a smooth inheritance process for future generations. Additionally, SB 293 reduces the tax burden from property value reassessments, helping homeowners avoid unexpected financial difficulties. - SB 547 – Commercial Insurance Protection Act
Part of the Senate’s Golden State Commitment, this bill provides essential protections for small businesses, nonprofits, and affordable housing communities. It prevents insurance companies from canceling or refusing to renew policies for up to one year after a declared emergency, offering stability for these entities as they rebuild. - SB 610 – Disaster Protections for Homeowners and Renters
This legislation creates vital disaster protections for both renters and homeowners. For renters, SB 610 ensures that rental units affected by wildfire debris are considered uninhabitable, clarifying landlord responsibilities for repairs. It also ensures tenants aren’t obligated to pay rent during mandatory evacuation orders. For homeowners, the bill facilitates mortgage forbearance coordination with lenders following a wildfire emergency declaration, easing the financial burden during recovery. - SB 782 – Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District
SB 782 introduces a new mechanism for rebuilding disaster-damaged infrastructure and communities. The law allows cities and counties to establish disaster recovery financing districts to fund projects aimed at restoring critical infrastructure, enhancing resilience, and fostering economic recovery. The bill emphasizes public engagement and transparency, requiring multiple hearings to ensure community involvement in the recovery process.
A Commitment to Long-Term Resilience
Supervisor Kathryn Barger expressed her pride in the legislation’s potential impact on the recovery process. “Today marks a pivotal moment for communities across California still healing from wildfires and other disasters. With Governor Newsom’s signature on SB 782, we now have a mechanism to rebuild with resilience, restore critical infrastructure, and revitalize neighborhoods affected by catastrophe.”
Governor Newsom, who has worked closely with local leaders and communities over the past ten months, expressed his full support for the legislation. “These laws are a testament to the hard work and determination of our communities. By providing immediate relief and planning for future resilience, we’re ensuring that California is better prepared for the challenges ahead.”
As fire survivors and communities begin their long journey toward recovery, these legislative measures aim to provide the financial relief, protections, and resources necessary to rebuild homes, businesses, and entire neighborhoods, ensuring a stronger and more resilient California in the years ahead.
We need the county to speed up issuing permits for rebuilding. Ease up those bs rules.