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These New Laws Will Help Los Angeles Recover and Rebuild Faster After This Year’s Firestorms

Assembly Democrats took urgent action to deliver legislative solutions that will fast-track construction and rebuilding, support renters and tenants, address insurance needs and provide essential relief for all Angelenos

For immediate release:

SACRAMENTO — Speaker Robert Rivas and Assembly Democrats delivered new laws that will accelerate recovery in Los Angeles, helping put Southern California on a faster path to rebuilding after the destructive and deadly firestorms earlier this year.

 

The Legislature is following through on its commitment to support victims, survivors and all residents. “We will not rest until every Angeleno is safe, supported and empowered to rebuild and heal,” Speaker Rivas said in January.

 

The following is an overview of new laws signed by Governor Gavin Newsom this year that will fast-track rebuilding, support renters and tenants, and deliver needed relief to assist in recovery:

  • Streamlined rebuilding and permitting: The rebuilding process for homes destroyed by the fires is accelerated, including faster approvals and reduced red tape.
  • Protections for homeowners and tenants: New safeguards prevent unfair treatment of wildfire-affected property owners and renters in the aftermath of disaster.
  • Access to temporary housing: While permanent homes are rebuilt, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are easier and faster to build. Local permitting for rebuilding homes and siting temporary housing after disasters is also accelerated.
  • Property tax relief and financial support: Measures help ease the financial burden on homeowners rebuilding after catastrophic loss, including additional time to rebuild without experiencing a property tax increase.
  • Stronger enforcement against looting and impersonating first responders: New laws expand penalties for criminal activity during disaster periods.
  • Mitigation incentives: The package includes grant programs for low-income households to install fire-safe roofs and for vegetation clearance to reduce wildfire risks. 

 

Assemblymember John Harabedian, Representing Altadena and Communities Impacted by the Eaton Fire

“In the wake of these devastating wildfires, I have been profoundly inspired by the courage of our communities. I was honored to help enact laws that provide meaningful relief to families, including up to a year of mortgage forbearance for those whose homes were damaged or lost. These measures offer the stability and space necessary to rebuild with confidence and hope. Los Angeles County has demonstrated extraordinary resilience, and I am confident we will emerge stronger, united, and renewed.”

 

Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, Representing Communities Impacted by the Palisades Fire

“In the Palisades and Altadena, the recovery and rebuilding work is underway — from debris removal and site stabilization, to restoring essential services and helping families return home. Recently signed legislation will bring critical tools and support to these efforts. From streamlining rebuilding and permitting, to allowing temporary housing on affected properties and supporting those impacted by providing property tax relief, the recovery is in progress.

“These policies, now law, represent a promise to those who’ve lost so much. Recovery won’t be stalled and these neighborhoods will be rebuilt with purpose and resiliency woven into their design. Together, we will restore what was lost and build strength for the future.”

 

Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, Chair of the Los Angeles County Legislative Delegation

“As Chair of the LA County Legislative Delegation, I am proud of our bipartisan work this year to secure billions of dollars in state resources to support families and small businesses impacted by the January fires. Working with Speaker Rivas, Delegation members also authored a number of new laws which will help these families and businesses rebuild faster, stronger and demonstrate the incredible resilience of Los Angeles County.”

 

The Assembly and Legislature delivered these additional new laws to support Southern California recovery, all signed by the Governor:

  • AB 226 by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (D-Whittier) alleviates some of the uncertainty that FAIR Plan policy holders may encounter and will also stabilize the insurance market by protecting the plan.
  • AB 238 by Assemblymembers John Harabedian (D-Pasadena) and Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) provides mortgage payment forbearance for eligible homeowners whose properties were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by the Los Angeles Fires.
  • AB 245 by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) gives households additional time to rebuild their home or business without experiencing a property tax increase.
  • AB 299 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) allows people displaced by disasters to stay in hotels, motels, or short-term rentals for extended periods without being treated as tenants.
  • AB 338 by Assemblymember José Luis Solache (D-Lynwood) directs critical funding in workforce development strategies for underemployed and unemployed low- to moderate-income individuals in areas affected by the wildfires.
  • AB 468 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) significantly increases the criminal penalties for looting in an evacuation zone.
  • AB 493 by Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena) requires financial institutions to pay interest to homeowners for insurance proceeds held in escrow following property damage or loss.
  • AB 818 by Assemblymember Anamarie Ávila Farías (D-Martinez) accelerates local permitting for rebuilding homes and siting temporary housing after disasters.
  • AB 851 by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) temporarily prohibits unsolicited real estate purchase offers in specified fire-affected ZIP codes in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties until January 1, 2027, protecting homeowners from predatory buyers during recovery.
  • AB 888 by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (D-Whittier) creates the California Safe Homes grant program to provide grants to low-income homeowners to replace their roofs with fire-safe roofs and to fund defensible space vegetation clearing projects.
  • AB 1003 by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (D-Whittier) Requires the State Department of Public Health to develop a plan for counties to use during significant air quality events and for counties to adopt a similar plan using these recommendations and guidelines.
  • AB 1075 by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) requires the Office of Emergency Services to develop regulations that prohibit privately contracted fire prevention resources from using public water sources during an active fire incident, unless specifically approved.
  • AB 1207 by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) reauthorizes California’s Cap-and-Trade program, funding climate resistance and wildfire prevention efforts across the state.

 

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For more information, follow Speaker Robert Rivas at the following social media channels:

Instagram: @caspeakerrivas

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CASpeakerRivas/