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AB 985 advances after testimony from Chiquita Canyon landfill neighbors seeking tax and mortgage relief
Summary
The committee moved AB 985, introduced by Assemblymember Schiavo, which would provide property tax reassessment and mortgage forbearance pathways for homeowners affected by the burning Chiquita Canyon Landfill in the Castaic area; the bill passed out of committee and will be referred to banking/finance for mortgage provisions.
Assemblymember Schiavo introduced AB 985 to address an ongoing public‑health crisis at the Chiquita Canyon Landfill, where witnesses reported a subterranean fire covering an expanding area near homes. The author and residents described chronic health effects and significant household costs from constant indoor air filtration, HVAC replacements and lost ability to work.
Resident Elizabeth Jeffords testified about nosebleeds, burning eyes, vertigo and other symptoms she attributes to the landfill fires; she asked for breathing room so families are not immediately threatened with mortgage default or tax loss while the crisis continues. The author's bill would allow property‑tax reassessments and temporary tax relief mechanisms for homeowners who can show financial hardship tied to the landfill disaster; the measure also calls for exploring mortgage forbearance pathways.
Committee members praised the author and called the situation "horrific." Senator Grayson said he supported the property‑tax components and wanted to reserve judgment on mortgage forbearance until his Banking Committee could review potential mechanisms; Senator Ashby volunteered to move the bill and noted budget and tax relief actions already underway in the budget process.
No principal witnesses in opposition appeared during the hearing; several community members and environmental/child‑services groups recorded opposition to other bills heard that day but not to AB 985. The committee voted to pass AB 985 to the Banking and Financial Institutions Committee to consider mortgage‑forbearance language and to review the bill's financial institution implications. The clerk recorded the motion with a committee roll call that advanced the measure.
Ending: AB 985 will be reviewed by the Banking and Financial Institutions Committee for the mortgage‑forbearance provisions and by Appropriations for fiscal effects on property‑tax administration; author and community groups said they will pursue state emergency or budget measures in parallel.
