State lawmakers convened this week to hear from wildfire experts, review the California Earthquake Authority's (CEA) Natural Catastrophe Resiliency Study, and chart a path toward comprehensive wildfire, insurance, and recovery reforms in 2026.
The hearings, convened by four separate legislative committees, examined the state of California's wildfire recovery system. They came as more than 100 social justice, community, labor, and small business groups joined a growing coalition urging the Legislature to act this year, warning that the state's wildfire recovery, insurance, and affordability crises can no longer wait.
Throughout the hearings, lawmakers and advocates delivered a unified message: the status quo is failing Californians and action is needed now.
“The CEA report is unambiguous on one point: There is no pathway that includes the option to simply fail to act.”
— Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris“We should really be thinking about what is best for consumers and the consumer wallet — the monthly bills that consumers have to face in California as they're struggling to afford housing.”
— Michael Wara“We are in a red alert situation and… it's critical, urgent to adopt wildfire policy reform this session.”
— The Utility Reform Network (TURN)“The status quo is not working for anyone.”
— The California Earthquake Authority“We need to figure out how to solve the issue without burdening ratepayers.”
— Senator Anna Caballero“The FAIR plan policy count has slowed, but it's still way too high.”
— United PolicyholdersThe coalition launched in April following the release of the CEA's study. Since then, more than 100 organizations and local elected officials from every region of California have joined the fight for reform, citing the state's deepening affordability, insurance, and recovery crises. The coalition is calling on the Legislature to act with urgency this session to implement a comprehensive Wildfire Victims First framework that:
- Protects people from wildfires
- Makes insurance available and affordable
- Pays victims first, fast, and fairly
To learn more about the Wildfire Victims First coalition, visit WildfireVictimsFirst.com.
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