California Senate Bill SB1264

California 2021-2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/17/22
• Refer: 3/2/22

Caption

Property Assessed Clean Energy program: wildfire safety improvements.

Impact

By removing the necessity that improvements must be permanently fixed to existing real property, the bill broadens the scope of eligible projects under the PACE program. In addition, it eliminates the requirement for legislative bodies to make specific determinations via formal resolutions when establishing voluntary contractual assessment programs for wildfire safety improvements. This change simplifies the process for public agencies and encourages homeowners and businesses to make alterations that could enhance fire safety measures. The bill thus aims to foster a collaborative environment between local governments and property owners to make significant strides in wildfire resilience.

Summary

Senate Bill 1264, introduced by Senator Dahle, amends Section 5899.4 of the Streets and Highways Code regarding the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. The bill aims to enhance wildfire safety by allowing specified public agencies to engage in voluntary contractual assessments with property owners for financing wildfire safety improvements. The legislation seeks to alleviate upfront costs that often hinder property owners from making essential improvements that would bolster their properties' resilience against wildfires. This initiative is particularly relevant for areas designated as high fire hazard severity zones, providing a structured avenue for financing such improvements.

Contention

Although the bill is seen as a proactive measure towards wildfire safety, certain objections may arise regarding the regulatory implications for local governance. While proponents argue that such enhancements are necessary, critics may voice concerns about sufficient oversight and the potential impacts on the existing regulatory frameworks concerning property improvements. Furthermore, as the regulations navigate between supporting property owners and maintaining community standards, the community discourse around the balance of local control versus state-approved enhancements is expected to be critical in understanding the broader legislative landscape.