2018 Ferguson Fire in Mariposa County 
Photo credit: USDA

December 19, 2020 - Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) reports on the first day of the 2021-2022 Legislative session, Senator Henry Stern (D-Calabasas), introduced Senate Bill 55, which prohibit all commercial and residential development in Very High Fire Hazards Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) and State Responsibility Areas (SRA).  This measure is identical to the unsuccessful SB 474, a last-minute effort by Senator Stern which RCRC strongly opposed in the previous legislative session.

While RCRC supports the underlying goal of mitigating the loss of life and property in high fire prone areas, SB 55 will ban anything from a simple Christmas tree farm in one area of the state to a new restaurant in another. Depriving individual property owners of the ability to utilize land or engage in legitimate business also presents potential “takings” challenges, adding associated costs, not only for the affected individual, but to taxpayers of the state. Meanwhile, California continues to struggle with a housing shortage, especially homes affordable to those with low and very-low incomes.  In addition, the increased loss of life and structural damage caused by California’s recent wildfires have caused reconsideration of housing development in fire-prone areas and the further winnowing of available lands for development. RCRC believes that these challenges require a holistic, equitable, and reasonable policy solution – something that is lacking in SB 55.

RCRC’s letter of opposition can be accessed here. This legislation will be eligible for action January 7, 2021; however, it is not anticipated this bill will be set for hearing before March.
Source: Rural County Representatives of California