Update!
Assembly Bill 178 (Dahle) was signed by the Governor on Friday, September 6, 2019, and becomes effective January 1, 2020.
“It is a relief that victims of California’s devastating wild fires will be able to rebuild without onerous requirements. They deserve at least that much from their State,” said Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber). Note: When Assembly Bill 178 was introduced, then Assemblyman Dahle represented Magalia, which was ravaged by the Camp Fire, and as Senator for the 1st Senate District he also represents Carr Fire victims.
From 8/22/19
SACRAMENTO – In a unique situation due to his special election to the 1st Senate District, Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) presented his own Assembly Bill on the Senate Floor.
Assembly Bill 178 was crafted to help California fire victims trying to rebuild. The measure was originally introduced by Assemblyman Dahle, along with principal co-author Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), which will exempt any residential home repair, restoration or replacement of a residential building destroyed or damaged as a result of a disaster in an area where a state of emergency has been proclaimed by the Governor, from the costly new residential home solar mandate.
“Thousands of Californians who have tragically lost their home due to wildfires are now facing the sad reality that costs have risen due to mandates by the state. These mandates can add upwards of $15,000 to the cost of rebuilding a home,” said Dahle. “Losing a home in a catastrophic fire is traumatic enough and worrying about complying with this new mandate is added, unnecessary stress. This is a small exemption that will allow people to rebuild their home without this additional costly mandate which has nothing to do with structural safety,” Dahle continued.
“We need to do everything possible to help cities devastated by natural disasters rebuild. This is especially true for areas like Paradise, where the median household income is well below the statewide average and many people live paycheck to paycheck. AB 178 will provide much needed relief from the solar mandate, which would significantly increase the cost of rebuilding during a time when the housing crisis is already driving up building costs,” said Gallagher (R-Yuba City).
AB 178 is a common sense approach that will give these victims of catastrophic events some much needed regulatory relief without any risk to structural safety. It passed the Senate on a 32-4 vote and now goes to the Governor for his consideration.
video of the presentation