Memorandum
Date: May 6, 2025
To: The Honorable Eddie Crandell, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Jessica Pyska, District 5 Supervisor
Subject: Consideration of Three Letters of Support for Federal Forest Health and Wildfire and Disaster Resiliency Legislation, in Furtherance of Established Board of Supervisors Federal Legislative Priorities (a) the Disaster Resiliency and Coverage Act (H.R. 1105, Thompson); (b) the Facilitating Increased Resilience, Environmental Weatherization, and Lowered Liability (FIREWALL) Act (S. 1323, Schiff and Sheehy); and (c) the Fix Our Forests Act (FOFA, H.R. 471; S. 1462)
Executive Summary:
Forest Health and Wildfire and Disaster (All Hazards) Resiliency are established among our Board’s highest Federal Legislative Priorities. Our communities have worked hard to develop greater resiliency to and understanding of the climate-informed phenomena that resulted in Lake County experiencing 20+ disaster events in the past decade; however, ongoing federal commitment is needed to ensure communities reeling from compounding disasters are supported, and not isolated.
I am encouraged by multiple recent bipartisan proposals that would strengthen community resilience and better align insurance incentives with mitigation efforts. These include the Disaster Resiliency and Coverage Act (H.R. 1105), spearheaded by Lake County’s esteemed Congressman, Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA), and Representative Doug LaMalfa (R-CA). The Bill would establish a new State-administered grant program that would provide up to $10,000 for disaster mitigation work on homes. It would also offer a 30 percent tax credit for qualified risk mitigation activities undertaken by individuals and businesses.
Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Tim Sheehy (R-MT) have likewise proposed a bill - the Facilitating Increased Resilience, Environmental Weatherization, and Lowered Liability (FIREWALL) Act (S. 1323) - which would create a 50 percent refundable federal tax credit to help families offset costs of home hardening against natural disasters, including wildfire.
Finally, the Fix Our Forests Act (H.R. 471; S. 1462) would accelerate forest management projects and reduce bureaucratic delays that currently hinder critical wildfire mitigation efforts. Collectively, these efforts are vital to reducing long-term disaster costs, protecting lives and property, and ensuring rural and high-risk communities are not left behind as climate-driven disasters intensify.
I strongly recommend our Board Support all three of these Bills; each would further our established Legislative Priorities.
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Recommended Action: Approve Three Letters of Support for Federal Forest Health and Wildfire and Disaster Resiliency Legislation, in Furtherance of Established Board of Supervisors Federal Legislative Priorities (a) the Disaster Resiliency and Coverage Act (H.R. 1105, Thompson); (b) the Facilitating Increased Resilience, Environmental Weatherization, and Lowered Liability (FIREWALL) Act (S. 1323, Schiff and Sheehy); and (c) the Fix Our Forests Act (FOFA, H.R. 471; S. 1462) and authorize the Chair sign.