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Committee approves bill requiring periodic review of Safer from Wildfires regulations
Summary
AB 1 would require the California Department of Insurance to review and consider updates to the Safer from Wildfires regulations every five years beginning January 2030; the committee advanced the bill with broad support from insurers, manufacturers and fire agencies.
Assemblymember Phil Connolly presented AB 1 to require the California Department of Insurance (CDI) to review the Safer from Wildfires regulations every five years starting Jan. 1, 2030, and to consider whether updates are needed to incorporate new home-hardening measures and community mitigation programs.
Josephine Figueroa, deputy commissioner and legislative director for the Department of Insurance, testified as sponsor on behalf of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, saying the regulations incentivize homeowners to harden properties and that periodic evaluation is needed because mitigation tools and guidance from partners such as CAL FIRE and the State Fire Marshal continue to evolve. Melanie Law of the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association supported the bill and urged integrating noncombustible, state fire marshal–listed building materials into the regulations to accelerate adoption of fire-safe construction methods.
Multiple organizations filed support or voiced seconding testimony, including the Personal Insurance Federation, CAL FIRE's safety team, county supervisors, rural county representatives and trade groups. No lead opposition was recorded. Committee members expressed bipartisan support and several requested to be coauthors. The committee voted to advance AB 1; the hearing summary records the final outcome as 17 to 0.
If enacted, AB 1 would create a recurring regulatory review to ensure the insurance incentives remain aligned with updated mitigation guidance and building-material listings that the State Fire Marshal maintains.
Votes at a glance: AB 1 — passed out of committee, recorded final tally 17 yes, 0 no.
