SACRAMENTO
Assembly Republicans unveil legislative agenda to address California’s affordability crisis
On February 26, Assembly Republicans held a press conference, introducing a sweeping legislative package aimed at tackling California’s affordability crisis and providing much-needed relief to working families.
“For years, Californians have been struggling under the weight of high taxes and skyrocketing costs, all while Democrats in Sacramento refuse to offer real solutions,” said Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher. “Our plan provides relief and delivers the affordability that hardworking families deserve.”
The legislative package targets the rising costs of food, gas, housing, insurance, health care and utilities—that have driven families and businesses out of the state. Key proposals include cutting utility rates by 30 percent, suspending the gas tax and future increases, and eliminating state income tax on tips received.
Key Bills in the Affordability Package:
AB 12 (Wallis, Gallagher, Patterson): Voids recent amendments to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS).
AB 286 (Gallagher): Requires the Public Utilities Commission to reduce electric rates by 30 percent.
AB 490 (Tangipa): Provides a tax deduction for the interest on auto loans
AB 547 (Tangipa): Provides a tax credit to help reimburse families who are paying out-of-pocket costs for IVF.
AB 658 (Gonzalez): Stops unaffordable vehicle tax hikes.
AB 780 (Castillo): Creates an opportunity for businesses to correct issues before they can be hit with a costly ADA lawsuit.
AB 838 (Ta): Increases the renter’s tax credit to $1,000 for single filers and $2,000 for joint filers.
AB 856 (Chen): Eliminates state sales taxes on manufacturing equipment.
AB 1058 (Gonzalez): Suspends gas tax, uses general fund to pay for transportation projects.
AB 1219 (Wallis): Largest middle-class tax cut in California history.
AB 1268 (Macedo): Stops any further increases to the gas tax.
AB 1282 (Gonzalez): Allows Californians to deduct medical costs, up to $5,000, from their income taxes, AB 1443 (Castillo):
Eliminates state income tax on tips.
These reaffirm Assembly Republicans’ commitment to lowering costs and ensuring California is where families and businesses can thrive.
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LAKE COUNTY
Announcing the guided nature walk at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park.
The next monthly Guided Nature Walk at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park will be held on Saturday, March 8 beginning at 8:30am.
The March nature walk will be led by Roberta Lyons, a volunteer State Parks Docent and President of Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association.
The route taken on the walk will depend on the condition of the trails. The hike should last between 1½ and 2 hours. Bring binoculars and meet in the parking lot at 8:15am for time to experience the early morning wildlife that can be found in the Ranch House and Barn complex yard – the walk will begin at 8:30am. Sturdy shoes, a hat and water are also suggested.
There is no charge for the Guided Nature Walk and parking is free for those attending. Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is located on Hwy 53, between Lower Lake and Clearlake. For more information about the guided walk, email:
info@andersonmarsh.org or call (707) 995-2658.
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SACRAMENTO
Senate announces legislative package— the Golden State Commitment
This legislation to expedite rebuilding of communities destroyed by wildfires, invest in schools impacted by wildfires, and make communities more fire safe. On February 26, the Senate began advancing legislation on long-term stability of the
state’s insurance market.
Specifically, these bills will:
Develop an Insurance Community Hardening Commission to create statewide standards for wildfire mitigation across high-risk communities. By creating one set of bedrock standards (and the homeowner complying with those hardening standards),
homeowners, developers, and builders can more easily comply with mitigations. This will finally allow homeowners a simpler
path forward to access insurance or keep their standard homeowner’s insurance policy.
(SB 616, Senators Rubio, Cortese, and Stern).
It will establish the nation’s first public catastrophic model for wildfires. This transparency tool allows the public – not just insurance companies – access to their property’s risk score. If homeowners know their risk score is, they can mitigate wildfire risk to bring down wildfire liability at their home and property.
(SB 429, Senator Cortese).
Expand the one-year non-renewal moratorium, which currently only covers residential policies, to include commercial policies to help small businesses. This will not only benefit small businesses, but multifamily residences like condominiums.
(SB 547, Senators Perez, and Rubio)
Require annual inspections to maintain defensible space requirements in Very High Fire Severity Zones. This will allow homeowners to keep up to date with defensible space requirements, both lowering their fire risk and helping them maintain their insurance policy.
(SB 629, Senator Durazo)
Require insurance companies to pay wildfire survivors 100% of their contents coverage (after their home is destroyed by wildfire) without needing a detailed inventory list. It grants180 days—to provide proof of loss to their insurance company.
“We have been sounding the alarm on insurance for years and it has become unsustainable,” said Pro Tem Mike McGuire. “This is why California is making historic investments to reduce fire risk, make our communities more fire safe, and aggressively respond to wildfire.
So, the Senate is doubling down on commonsense, measures that protect consumers, harden communities, hold insurers accountable, and ensure the market returns to stable ground.”
“We must implement changes now to tackle climate challenges, incentivize insurers to expand in our state, and strengthen consumer protections. We’re preparing for future wildfires, ensuring that insurance companies remain solvent to protect
consumers and fulfill their claims,” said Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara.
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