Four Key Wildfire Recovery Measures Gain Momentum in Sacramento

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, July 2, 2026

CONTACT: Sam Villaneda, [email protected] (760)269-9391

Tom Steel,[email protected], (530) 713-7783

Four Key Wildfire Recovery Measures Gain Momentum in Sacramento

Four of Asm Harabedian's bills addressing housing recovery, mortgage relief, insurance protections, and wildfire contamination standards advance

(SACRAMENTO, CA) - Assemblymember John Harabedian's (D-Pasadena) comprehensive wildfire recovery package continues to advance through the California Senate, with all four measures moving forward as lawmakers work to address the long-term challenges facing survivors of the Eaton, Palisades, and other devastating wildfires across California.

The package focuses on four critical areas of recovery: ensuring homes are safe to return to, protecting homeowners from foreclosure, extending support for families still rebuilding, and preserving access to insurance coverage.

"The Los Angeles fires of 2025 devastated the community, families face extended recovery periods and are navigating rebuilding challenges, insurance delays, mortgage obligations, and lingering questions about whether their homes are safe to reoccupy. This bill package addresses these concerns and helps families on their path to rebuilding and recovering," said Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena)."I've said it before and I'll say it again, recovery from a major wildfire does not end when the flames are extinguished."

AB 1642 - Wildfire Contamination Standards

AB 1642 has passed the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. It requires the Department of Toxic Substances Control to develop statewide standards for post-wildfire contamination testing, investigation, and remediation. The bill establishes a first in the nation framework for determining when homes, schools, and workplaces are safe to reoccupy following a wildfire and addresses growing concerns about toxic contamination left behind by urban wildfires.

AB 1842 - California Mortgage Relief Act

AB 1842 has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee. It creates a statewide mortgage forbearance framework for homeowners whose residences are rendered uninhabitable by a major disaster. The bill allows eligible homeowners to temporarily pause mortgage payments while protecting them from foreclosure, excessive fees, and negative credit reporting as they recover and rebuild.

AB 1847 - Extending Mortgage Relief for Los Angeles Wildfire Survivors

AB 1847 has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee, which extends the protections established under the Mortgage Forbearance Act (AB 238) for homeowners impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. The bill recognizes that many families remain displaced due to insurance delays, permitting backlogs, labor shortages, and prolonged rebuilding timelines, and provides additional time for recovery.

AB 2038 - Extending Insurance Moratorium Protections

AB 2038 has passed the Senate Insurance Committee and strengthens California's insurance protections for wildfire survivors by extending post-disaster insurance moratorium periods. Specifically, the bill extends the existing one-year moratorium on nonrenewals to two years for homes located in or adjacent to a fire perimeter ZIP code and extends the existing two-year moratorium to three years for homeowners whose properties were completely destroyed. The bill recognizes that recovery from a catastrophic wildfire often takes multiple years and ensures families do not lose coverage while they rebuild.

Together, the four bills represent one of the most comprehensive legislative efforts to address the long-term impacts of catastrophic wildfires on California families. The measures build upon lessons learned from recent disasters and seek to provide survivors with greater stability, transparency, and protection throughout the recovery process.

All four bills remain active in the legislative process.

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Assemblymember John Harabedian represents the 41st District composed of the cities of La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Bradbury, San Dimas, La Verne, Claremont, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Oak Hills, Piñon Hills and Phelan.