Special session wildfire bills introduced
Bill package provides up to $2.5 billion in state funding for response and recovery
Two special session budget bills related to the Los Angeles wildfires were introduced on the morning of Monday, January 20. As such, they will be eligible for passage in both houses of the California Legislature as soon as the morning of Thursday, January 23 (that is, 72 hours after publication online). Special session budget committee hearings on the bills are expected on Wednesday, January 22.
The bills (both “budget bills jr.,” or amendments to the 2024 Budget Act) are:
The wildfire special session bills, as a package, provide up to $2.5 billion in state funding for wildfire response and recovery, supplementing the Governor’s emergency authority to respond to this unprecedented disaster.
The bills include requirements for reporting to the public and the Legislature on wildfire response spending, and anticipate additional wildfire-related actions by the Legislature by the end of April (months earlier than action on the rest of the state budget).
In addition, $1 million is specifically earmarked to expedite planning for rebuilding damaged schools, and $4 million is directed to expedite local inspections and permits for rebuilding residences.
Federal reimbursements for eligible state spending are to be sought, as specified in the bill package.