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By Miriam Raftery
August 2, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – AB 1819, a measure by Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R-Valley Center) would authorize counties to create special infrastructure financing districts in high or very high fire hazard severity zones. These districts would fund wildfire mitigation apparatus and infrastructure including new heavy equipment to clear vegetation, create firebreaks, and harden utility infrastructure against wildfires.
“As climate change progresses, our state is affected by longer, more intense, and increasingly hazardous wildfires. In San Diego alone, almost one-fourth of all wildfires start from the combustion of roadside vegetation by vehicles. It is crucial to have the proper firefighting equipment to prevent wildfires,” a statement by Waldron in the Senate Floor analysis.“Obtaining funding to increase prevention response and fire-fighting equipment. backcountry areas has been difficult. The creation of an infrastructure financing district for this purpose will raise the necessary funding without the need to raise taxes.”
The bill has passed the Assembly unanimously (with several members absent) and is currently awaiting action in the Senate Appropriations Committee. All legislative business must be concluded by August 31, the last day of the legislative session.
The measure is supported by the Alpine Fire Protection District, California Special Districts Association, Deer Springs Fire Protection District, North County Fire Protection District, and Valley Center Fire Protection District.
No opposition has been received.
Assemblymember Waldron represents the 75th Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes the cities of Poway, Santee, portions of the City of San Diego, and most of rural eastern and northern San Diego County.
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Infrastructure