State senators presented a package of 13 bills that will help California be better prepared for emergencies

From having firefighters working full time and enough fire engines staffed all year round to helping the victims of the recent wildfires to rebuild and recover, a group of state senators is investing in a fire-safe California plan. 

They call it the Golden State Commitment, a bipartisan package of 13 initial bills that will expand the state’s response efforts and streamline fire recovery, rebuilding and prevention efforts. It will also help stabilize the state’s insurance market and expand protections for homeowners and renters. The plan will provide financial resources for school and community college districts impacted by the wildfires. 

Among the measures is the Fight for Firefighters Act of 2025, which will transition 3,000 CAL FIRE firefighters working nine-month terms to full-time, permanent status. 

“That means that all 356 of Cal FIRE’s engineers will roll 365 days a year,” said Senate President pro-Tempore Mike McGuire (North Coast), co-author of the bill. “All CAL FIRE helitack bases will be staffed 365 days a year, and we will never lay off again the 1,500 CAL FIRE firefighters that are responsible for vegetation management in every corner of California.”

Filled with emotion, McGuire said he has seen over 10,000 homes burned in Northern California in previous fires, and that’s why this set of bills feels very personal. 

“That’s why we are going to be successful in L.A’.s comeback story,” he said during a press conference in Pasadena on Friday afternoon.

Another bill aims to help business owners recover, through the Commercial Insurance Norenewal Moratorium. Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (Alhambra), who represents all areas impacted by the Eaton fire, said she is proud to co-author legislation that protects small businesses, HOA and condominium owners by extending the insurance non-renewal moratorium to commercial policies.

“You cannot be canceled or non-renewed by your insurer for at least one year following a declared state of emergency in your community,” said Pérez. “People shouldn’t have to worry about their insurance company pulling the rug out from under them.”

In an effort to increase public safety, Senator Bob Archuleta (Norwalk) co-authored a bill that strengthens penalties against bad actors during a state of emergency and in evacuation areas. He commended the brave men and women who answered the call to work together in fighting the deadly wildfires. However, at the same time, he said looters tried to access the affected areas by impersonating as first responders. 

Archuleta spoke with residents who told him they are still frightened that looters may enter evacuated areas at night and attempt to enter their homes. 

“Anyone who impersonates a law enforcement officer or firefighter when this emergency is taking place will be apprehended, and they will be at the next level, higher level of punishment,” said Archuleta. “Because when you violate someone’s home like this, it is terrible.”

Other bills include the fight against price-gouging by adding civil remedies and penalties to protect victims displaced by a state or local emergency. Also, property tax relief during a state of emergency bill ensures damaged or destroyed properties maintain their welfare property tax exemption.

Budget proposals to help schools and families

The Golden State Commitment also includes proposals for fire relief aid for displaced people. This means that families and individuals who are impacted by fires but unable to obtain federal assistance, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will be able to receive a one-time disaster relief fund. The Senate also wants to provide average daily attendance funding to schools that lost students due to the wildfire disaster. This will ensure a quality education for students during a difficult transitioning period. There will also be funding for impacted community colleges affected by the fire.