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Cal OES, Cal Fire and LAO outline Prop 4 wildfire mitigation spending choices; legislators weigh timing and program design
Summary
Cal OES, Cal Fire and the LAO briefed the Senate subcommittee on options for spending Proposition 4 wildfire mitigation bond funds, highlighting neighborhood home hardening, use of FEMA HMGP match and a choice between deep versus broad funding per structure.
The Senate subcommittee took testimony on a proposed wildfire mitigation grant program funded by Proposition 4 bond proceeds and administered by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and Cal Fire. Officials described funding priorities, how state bond funds could be used to match federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) awards, and asked the Legislature to consider program design and timing.
Cal OES proposed prioritizing neighborhood‑scale home hardening and defensible space grants for communities on the state's high fire‑risk lists and for disadvantaged communities. Cal OES said it intends to leverage FEMA HMGP dollars as federal match where possible and to provide technical assistance, environmental compliance support and project tracking to expedite grants to local entities.
Key program design issues
- Depth vs. breadth: LAO advised a critical policy choice is whether to fund fewer structures with deeper interventions (more dollars per structure)…
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