The following is a submission from Senator Ben Allen.
Senator Ben Allen (D-Pacific Palisades) celebrated today’s passage and signing of a $2.5 billion wildfire relief package to boost recovery efforts in the wake of the LA Fires.
“The long road to recovery is just beginning, and these bills are a couple of important first steps to usher us along the path,” said Senator Allen. “Relief from these devastating fires is going to require a holistic approach, which will incorporate not just a massive financial undertaking, but strong policy that ensures the best interest of victims and survivors are upheld through the rebuilding process as well. I am grateful to see this starting to come together, and am eager to see the money start flowing as quickly as possible to this community in dire need.”
SBX1-3 and SBX1-4 collectively provide $2.5 billion in upfront costs to support various aspects of our wildfire recovery efforts. Much of the funding will prioritize cleanup efforts to remove hazardous waste, as well as to assess and remediate post-fire hazards such as air and water quality, flash flooding, and debris flow. Other allowable uses include, but are not limited to, sheltering for survivors, building inspection to expedite homeowner rebuilding, and assistance to rebuild or recover school facilities that have been damaged.
100% of the $2.5 billion package is reimbursable by the federal government.
