Assembly approves $2.5 billion wildfire emergency package for Los Angeles-area recovery and response

The California State Assembly on Jan. 16 approved two budget measures—AB 4 and SB 3—that together provide $2.5 billion in emergency funding for response, recovery and initial rebuilding following catastrophic wildfires in Southern California.

Assemblymember Gabriel, the author, said AB 4 provides $1.5 billion for “emergency response costs and immediate recovery activities” including evacuation and sheltering, hazardous‑waste removal, remediation of post‑fire hazards such as flooding and debris flows, and air‑ and water‑quality testing. “I respectfully ask for your I vote on AB 4,” Gabriel said on the Assembly floor.

The companion measure, SB 3 (Wiener), passed after expedited procedures and includes provisions the Assembly identified as narrowly targeted to speed rebuilding and planning. Assemblymember Gabriel said SB 3 contains $4,000,000 to “expedite building approvals for homeowners” in impacted communities and $1,000,000 to…