U.S. Senator Alex Padilla has introduced a package of three bipartisan bills aimed at improving wildfire mitigation and proactive disaster preparedness.
The proposed legislation includes the Wildfire Emergency Act, the Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act, and the Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act.
Each bill seeks to address different aspects of wildfire prevention, energy resilience, and tax relief for homeowners investing in fire-proofing measures.
Padilla said: “The devastating fires in Southern California are a harsh reminder of the importance of proactive fire mitigation efforts to keep families and homes safe.”
The proposal comes as Southern California recovers from wildfires that have burned over 57,000 acres, destroyed more than 16,000 structures, and resulted in at least 29 deaths.
The Wildfire Emergency Act, co-led by Senator Steve Daines, focuses on reducing wildfire risks through forest restoration, firefighter training, and energy resilience improvements.
If enacted, the bill would authorize the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to leverage private financing to expand existing forest restoration projects.
It also proposes funding for wildfire-hardening home modifications, particularly for low-income households, and the creation of an energy resilience program at the Department of Energy.
The legislation also seeks to expedite the placement of wildfire detection equipment, establish a prescribed fire-training center, and fund local land stewardship grants.
Daines said: “These bipartisan bills will streamline forest management processes to mitigate the root causes of wildfires, improve community and home hardening efforts, and support our brave firefighters.”
The Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act, co-led by Daines, would allow the USFS to approve the removal of hazardous vegetation near power lines on federal forest lands without requiring a timber sale.
Electrical equipment has been linked to some of the largest wildfires in California history, including the 2018 Camp Fire and the 2021 Dixie Fire.
The bill seeks to ensure that utility companies can clear fuel buildup within power line corridors to prevent such disasters.
The legislation would also require that proceeds from the sale of removed hazardous trees be returned to the USFS.
The Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act, co-led by Senators Thom Tillis, Adam Schiff, and Bill Cassidy, would exempt homeowners from federal taxes on state-issued disaster mitigation payments.
Several states, including California, North Carolina, and Louisiana, provide financial assistance to homeowners who take steps to protect their properties from wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters.
However, under current tax law, these payments are considered taxable income.
Schiff said: “Homeowners should not face additional taxes for wanting to protect their homes, and our bipartisan legislation will provide the needed tax relief to help affected Americans recover from these disasters.”
Senator Alex Padilla has introduced three bipartisan bills focused on wildfire mitigation and disaster preparedness.
The Wildfire Emergency Act seeks to improve forest restoration, firefighter training, and energy resilience.
The Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act would allow the U.S. Forest Service to approve the removal of hazardous vegetation near power lines to reduce wildfire risks.
The Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act proposes exempting homeowners from federal taxes on state-issued disaster mitigation payments.
The legislation follows recent wildfires in Southern California, which have destroyed thousands of structures and caused multiple fatalities.
Co-leads include Senators Steve Daines, Thom Tillis, Adam Schiff, and Bill Cassidy.
The bills aim to address wildfire prevention, improve community resilience, and provide financial relief for homeowners taking preventative measures.
