1.0" ?> 20250SR__006198ENR 98 INTRODUCED 2025-08-18 PASSED_SENATE 2025-09-11 ENROLLED 2025-09-13 2025 0 SR 61 ENR Introduced by Senator Pérez (Coauthor: Senator Allen) LEAD_AUTHOR SENATE Pérez COAUTHOR SENATE Allen Relative to building resiliency. building resiliency

WHEREAS, California continues to experience the devastating impacts of wildfires, with 9 of the 10 largest fires in state history occurring in the past decade, including the 2020 August Complex Fire, which burned over 1,000,000 acres; and

WHEREAS, Six of the 10 most destructive fires in state history occurred in the past decade, including the 2018 Camp Fire, which resulted in 85 lives lost and the destruction of the town of Paradise; and

WHEREAS, In January 2025, the County of Los Angeles endured one of the most destructive wildfire events in United States history, with the Palisades and Eaton fires causing an estimated total economic loss ranging from $250 billion to $275 billion. These fires destroyed over 16,000 structures, led to significant disruptions in housing, employment, and infrastructure, and contributed to a projected $4.6 billion reduction in county-level gross domestic product for 2025; and

WHEREAS, The economic and social costs of wildfires are staggering, with the 2017 and 2018 California fire seasons alone causing more than $40 billion in damages, including over $25 billion in insured losses, as well as long-term disruptions to communities, housing markets, public health, and the state’s insurance system; and

WHEREAS, Wildfires have also contributed significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, undermining California’s climate goals. For example, the Camp Fire emitted an estimated 3,600,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, erasing hard-earned progress made under California’s climate initiatives; and

WHEREAS, As the conditions for wildfires and other extreme events such as droughts, floods, heat waves, and sea level rise intensify due to climate change, California must enhance the resiliency of its built environment to protect lives, safeguard communities, ensure the integrity of infrastructure, and reduce recovery costs; and

WHEREAS, Building resiliency involves a broad spectrum of strategies, including defensible space, home hardening, land use planning, energy performance, fire-resistant design, and the use of noncombustible materials that are durable and less likely to contribute to ignition or structural loss during disasters; and

WHEREAS, Numerous studies, including research by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), show that materials classified as noncombustible can significantly reduce structure vulnerability in high-risk wildfire zones; and

WHEREAS, Chapter 7A of the California Building Standards Code establishes minimum building requirements in fire-prone areas and has been shown to reduce fire risk, but its application is limited, and continued evaluation and modernization of the code are necessary to ensure alignment with evolving climate and disaster resilience needs; and

WHEREAS, The insurance market in California is under severe stress due to wildfire losses, with several major insurers pausing or restricting new business in the state, further exacerbating the state’s housing affordability and disaster recovery challenges; and

WHEREAS, Improving building resiliency through code updates, material choices, home hardening measures, and incentives for risk-reducing construction practices will not only reduce losses and save lives, but also support long-term housing stability, affordability, and climate adaptation; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Legislature of the State of California declares its support for strengthening building resiliency as a key strategy to reduce risk from wildfires, earthquakes, extreme heat, sea level rise, and other hazards intensified by climate change; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature encourages public and private stakeholders to adopt resilient construction practices, including the use of noncombustible materials, particularly in high-risk and Wildland-Urban Interface areas, to reduce structural loss, improve insurance viability, and enhance community safety; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature urges the California Building Standards Commission, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Department of Insurance, and other relevant agencies to evaluate current codes and policies for opportunities to strengthen resiliency, support innovation, and reflect best practices in fire- and climate-adaptive construction; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the Governor, the California Building Standards Commission, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Department of Insurance, and to each member of the California Congressional delegation.