SACRAMENTO, CA April 12, 2021 – With the 2021 wildfire season upon us, Assemblymember Marc Levine (D-Marin County) today released the following statement after the State Assembly’s approved early budget action to fund wildfire prevention and preparedness efforts in the North Bay and across California.

“Today’s $536 million investment in statewide wildfire prevention and preparedness is another significant investment to protect us from what is expected to be a potentially devastating wildfire season,” said Assemblymember Levine. “By funding vegetation management, grants for community hardening, wildfire workforce training and grants for local wildfire prevention, we are taking the first of many steps to keep the North Bay and high-risk fire zones across the state safe. Additional budget action will be required in June and likely later this year to make sure all necessary resources are made available to protect lives and property across California.”

“As the climate crisis rages on, we must do more to encourage communities to take proactive steps to reduce wildfire risks,” continued Levine. That is why I am authoring a package of bills to support homeowners living in high climate crisis risk areas and prevent potential future property loss by encouraging planning that takes the realities of the climate crisis at face value. AB 1403 (Levine) would allow a governor or local government to declare a state of emergency related to a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). AB 1409 (Levine) would require a local government’s General Plan to include emergency evacuation locations. AB 1439 (Levine) would require property insurance providers to take into consideration local government investments in wildfire prevention when determining insurance rates. AB 1445 (Levine) would require a local government to take emergency evacuation capacity and the impacts of climate change into consideration when determining future housing development. AB 1522 (Levine) would prohibit an insurer from denying a property owner insurance coverage just because the property is located in a high-risk wildfire area. Along with continued budget support for wildfire prevention, preparedness and response, my legislative package takes important steps to make communities grow smarter and respond smarter to an ever-changing climate. Adapting to the demands of a changing climate will not be easy, but they are essential to ensure that residents across California can have a safe place to call home.”