Memorandum
Date: April 22, 2025
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Jessica Pyska, District 5 Supervisor
Subject: EXTRA ITEM: (a) Consideration of an “Extra” Agenda Item; and (b) Consideration of Long-Distance Travel by District 5 Supervisor Jessica Pyska to Washington, DC, to Testify Before the Senate Banking Committee on the Role of the Federal Government in Insurance and Disaster Mitigation
Executive Summary:
(a) After the posting of the Agenda on Thursday, April 17, 2025, staff to Paragon Government Relations alerted me to an upcoming Hearing before the Senate Banking Committee (Thursday, May 1, 2025), which will focus on the role of the federal government in insurance and disaster mitigation; staff to the Committee have a need for local government perspective, and due to my previous work on this topic with California State and National Association of Counties working groups and committees, staff to the Senate Banking Committee are recommending I testify. A formal invitation is expected today. Long-distance travel requires approval pursuant to County Policy, and this Senate Banking Committee Hearing is expected to occur prior to the next Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting. Therefore, I request our Board approve taking this matter up as an Extra Item.
(b) On January 28, 2025, this Board adopted the following Federal Policies Priorities for Wildfire Insurance:
“Wildfire Insurance Homeowners and public agencies in disaster-prone regions - including Lake County - are grappling with rising insurance premiums, higher deductibles, reduced coverage options, and widespread policy non-renewals. In fact, according to a recent report from the Senate Budget Committee, Lake County has one of the highest rates of insurance non-renewals in the nation. The lack of affordable and accessible wildfire insurance is further exacerbating California’s housing crisis, as many lenders are hesitant to issue mortgages without adequate coverage. This creates significant barriers for residents and prospective homeowners, intensifying the economic challenges in communities already impacted by wildfires. In 2025, Lake County will continue to engage with federal policymakers on how to effectively address the state’s burgeoning wildfire insurance crisis. These efforts will focus on improving insurance availability and affordability while ensuring communities are better protected against the financial impacts of natural disasters.”
While attending the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference in Washington DC, on February 28, 2025, I met with staff from the Senate Banking Committee (majority and minority) to discuss the urgent need for the federal government to take a role in the insurance crisis. Supervisors from Nevada and Napa Counties and I requested that the Senate Banking Committee hold a hearing on this topic, which has led to my being recommended to testify.
Members of your Board will recall, I serve as the Chair for CSAC’s Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee and participated in CSAC’s Insurance Working Group in 2024, producing policy recommendations for the CSAC platform. Additionally, I am a member of the National Association of Counties’ Environment, Energy and Land Use Policy Committee, Resilient Communities Committee, and NACo’s Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force.
I believe my presence in DC and testimony can make a difference for County residents, and request our Board approve this travel request. Administrative Office staff estimate costs will be approximately $4,000 and can be accommodated within existing budget allocations.
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Recommended Action:
(a) Approve the Extra Item.
(b) Approve long-distance travel by District 5 Supervisor, Jessica Pyska, to Washington, DC, to Testify Before the Senate Banking Committee on the Role of the Federal Government in Insurance and Disaster Mitigation.