Committee advances bill offering property-tax relief and mortgage forbearance options for residents near Chiquita Canyon landfill fire

Assemblymember Schiavo presented AB 985 to the committee as legislation to provide temporary property-tax relief, postponement options and a framework for mortgage forbearance consideration for homeowners affected by the underground fire at the Chiquita Canyon Landfill.

“AB 985 is a lifeline,” said Elizabeth Jeffords, a resident who testified in person. She described recurring nosebleeds, vertigo and other symptoms she and neighbors attribute to toxic fumes from the landfill and said costs have increased for air filtration and home repairs. Jeffords said many affected families face job losses and rising utility and housing costs while living in conditions they described as unsafe.

Scholars, local officials and community witnesses urged the committee to approve statutory authority to postpone or reassess property taxes and to create a statutory pathway for lenders to offer mortgage forbearance in disaster-affected cases. The bill, as presented, requires homeowners to document hardship under penalty of perjury to qualify for property tax relief. The author indicated she is working with lenders and the Banking Committee on mortgage-related language.

Committee members thanked the author and the resident witnesses and asked for additional work on the mortgage-forbearance provisions. Senator Grayson said he supports property-tax components but reserved judgment on mortgage forbearance until his committee examines the proposals.

The committee voted to refer AB 985 to the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee for additional review (roll recorded as 3–0 at committee action).