Senator Cortese’s Bill Reducing Wildfire Risk While Protecting Native Plants Heads to the Governor’s Desk As Wildfires Break Out Throughout the State

SACRAMENTO – Senator Dave Cortese’s (D-Silicon Valley) SB 653 that defines and promotes environmentally sensitive vegetation management to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk while protecting native plants and wildlife today was passed by the California Senate on concurrence and now heads to the Governor’s desk.

“My science-based bill guides how state agencies fund and implement projects. It makes sure they are ecologically sound and prevent invasive, fire-prone plants,” said Senator Dave Cortese. 

Background: 

Senator Cortese has authored and co-authored several bills that are part of a historic package of bills investing in California following the fires that ravaged Los Angeles communities in January.

  • SB 429 – Creates the nation’s first public wildfire catastrophe model, improving insurance transparency and risk planning.
  • ** SB 616 (Joint-Author) – Establishes a Community Hardening Commission to unify and modernize home fire protection standards.

Senator Cortese has co-authored the following fire protections bills:

  • SB 581 The Fight for Firefighters Act to phase out seasonal CalFire firefighters who work nine months out the year - typically laid off during the winter months - and transition these 3,000 firefighters to full-time status.
  • SB 36 – Price Gouging
  • SB 663 – Provide Property Tax Relief Following The 2025 Southern California Fires
  • SB 625 – Speed-up Residential Rebuilds Following A State Of Emergency
  • SB 616 – Insurance Community Hardening Commission
  • SB 547 – Commercial Insurance Nonrenewal Moratorium
  • SB 676 – Extend California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Streamlining For LA Fires & Other Disasters
  • SB 582 – Rebuilding Health Facilities, Assisted Living and Child Care Facilities and other licensed Facilities
  • SB 571 – Strengthen Penalties Against Bad Actors During A State Of Emergency
  • SB 629 – Keeping Communities Safe From Wildfires
  • SB 641 – Consumer Protection And Business Recovery