A California Assembly committee has taken a significant step to tackle the state’s ongoing wildfire and insurance challenges. The Assembly Insurance Committee unanimously approved the California Safe Homes Act, known as Assembly Bill 888. This legislation aims to enhance home safety against wildfires while making insurance more accessible for residents.
The act focuses on funding vital safety measures. These include installing fire-safe roofing, creating defensible space within the first five feet of homes—referred to as “zone 0”—and implementing community-level wildfire protection strategies. The goal is to provide homeowners with the tools they need to better protect their properties from the increasing threat of wildfires.
This initiative builds on previous efforts outlined in the "Safer from Wildfires" plan, which presents ten key actions for improving wildfire safety. The California Safe Homes Act is now set to be reviewed by the Assembly Appropriations Committee, where it will face further scrutiny.
As wildfires continue to pose a serious risk in California, this legislation reflects a proactive approach to both safeguarding homes and addressing insurance concerns for affected residents.