Bill > AB888

This bill establishes the California Safe Homes grant program, administered by the Department of Insurance, to reduce wildfire losses and improve community resilience. The program aims to help homeowners and local governments harden structures against wildfires by providing grants for specific mitigation actions, such as replacing roofs to meet wildfire safety standards and creating noncombustible zones around buildings. Eligible applicants include low-income individuals in high fire hazard zones with property covered by an admitted insurer, as well as cities, counties, and special districts. The bill creates a Sustainable Insurance Account within the Insurance Fund to support the program, with funding from legislative appropriations, federal grants, or other sources. Grant funds will be prioritized for roof replacements, creating noncombustible zones, and community-wide mitigation projects that reduce wildfire risks. The Department of Insurance must collect detailed information about grant usage, track performance, and publish a comprehensive report every two years beginning in 2027, which will be shared with the Legislature and posted online. The program is part of a broader effort to address increasing wildfire risks in California due to climate change and expanding development in wildland areas.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB888