August 31, 2020 - Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) has offered support for Assembly Bill 1659, authored by Assembly Member Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica), which establishes a robust, continuous funding source to improve the health and resilience of California’s forest and wildlands to help prevent future catastrophic wildfire events. This recently-crafted bill would also bolster the state’s emergency response capabilities to fire events and helping residents safeguard their homes.

RCRC believes that AB 1659 could finally provide the sorely needed funding stream to make a significant difference in the state’s wildfire prevention and emergency response goals. By utilizing and continuing an existing surcharge on the “big three” investor-owned utilities (PG&E, SoCal Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric), the bill also fairly targets the areas suffering from the highest rate of catastrophic fires and, in turn, focuses prevention efforts in those areas. RCRC has requested an amendment to specifically empower counties with the ability to contribute to wildfire prevention and response efforts. Additionally, RCRC has requested funding to support the state network of fair facilities in their role in wildfire emergency response efforts, including as emergency evacuation centers and fire staging areas.

The bill is slated to be reviewed in both the State Senate and the State Assembly.

Read RCRC’s letter of support here.
Source: Rural County Representatives of California