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...
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