AB 2983: Office of Emergency Services: comprehensive wildfire mitigation program: impact on fire insurance.

Existing law, the Joint Exercise of Powers Act, authorizes 2 or more public agencies, if authorized by their legislative or other governing bodies, to enter into an agreement to jointly exercise any power common to the contracting parties, as provided. That act requires, among other things, that the agreement state the purpose of agreement or power to be exercised and provide for the method by which the purpose will be accomplished or the manner in which the power will be exercised.

Existing law, operative until July 1, 2025, requires the Office of Emergency Services to enter into a joint powers agreement with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to develop and administer a comprehensive wildfire mitigation program to, among other things, encourage cost-effective structure hardening and retrofitting to create fire-resistant homes, businesses, and public buildings. That law requires the joint powers authority to develop eligibility criteria for property owners, community organizations, and local governments that may receive financial assistance under the wildfire mitigation program.

This bill would require, on or before July 1, 2025, the Department of Insurance to be added to the California Wildfire Mitigation Program Board created pursuant to the joint powers agreement. The bill would also require this joint powers authority, when reviewing projects or proposals, to assess the extent to which the project or proposal would increase the availability of insurance policies covering damage from fire, as specified.