AB 1 Passes through Assembly Insurance Committee

AB 1, Assemblymember Connolly's bill to strengthen the Safer from Wildfires Program regulations, has passed through its first hearing with overwhelming support.

• Megan Myre
• Press Contact
• 916-319-2012
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SACRAMENTO, CA - Today, Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael) presented AB 1 to the Assembly Insurance Committee, where the bill passed with unanimous and bipartisan support. AB 1 will require the California Department of Insurance to review and consider updates to the Safer from Wildfires regulations every five years, to ensure that the regulations continue to reflect the needs of consumers and the industry and provide the largest benefit to homeowners.

"The current state of the insurance market is leaving thousands of families without coverage, and AB 1 will help consumers save money on their insurance bills while mitigating wildfire risk," said Assemblymember Connolly. "I am gratified to have such overwhelming support from my legislative colleagues on this bill, and support for homeowners across California."

Rising insurance costs is an issue near and dear to communities up and down the state. In areas where wildfire risks are high, insurance is increasingly unaffordable and absent, and the Safer from Wildfires program is the only avenue open to consumers to receive direct discounts for hardening their homes and neighborhoods. As new and safer building materials come to market and wildfire prevention methods evolve, it is important that we periodically revisit the regulations to ensure that as much relief as possible is being offered to community members who are hardening their homes against wildfire.

AB 1 passed unanimously through the Assembly Insurance Committee this morning with bipartisan support and seventeen "AYE" votes, with ten committee members adding on as co-authors. This bill will next be considered by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

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Assemblymember Connolly represents the entirety of Marin County and Southern Sonoma County