MEDIA ADVISORY: SENATOR CORTESE’S SENATE BILL 429 WILL ESTABLISH NATION’S FIRST WILDFIRE CATASTROPHE PUBLIC MODEL

SAN JOSE, CA –California State Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) will host a press conference highlighting the successful passage of his Senate Bill 429 (SB 429) this past year. The press conference will be held in front of CAL FIRE’s Fire Hawk helicopter helipad. SB 429 will establish the first-in-the-nation wildfire catastrophe public model. The science-based model will help inform homeowners about their property’s wildfire risk in addition to equitably informing homeowners’ insurance policy rates. Senator Cortese will be joined by academic researchers, 2020 SCU and CZU Lightning Complex wildfire survivors, and consumer groups. 

WHAT: Senator Dave Cortese’s SB 429 Press Conference

WHEN: Friday, November 14th, 2025 from 9:15 AM – 10:00 AM  

WHERE: 

CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit – Fire Station 

19650 Santa Cruz Hwy., Los Gatos, CA 95033  

In front of the Fire Hawk helicopter helipad 

WHO: 

  • Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose), Author of SB 429
  • Dr. Craig Clements, Director, Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center, SJSU
  • Emily Rogan, Senior Program Officer, United Policyholders
  • Seth Schalet, CEO, Santa Clara County FireSafe Council
  • Gregg Winovich, SCU Lightning Complex Fire victim

RSVP:  News media are asked to RSVP in advance to Mario B. Lopez via email at mario.lopez@sen.ca.gov.

Senator Dave Cortese represents Senate District 15, which encompasses San Jose and much of Santa Clara County in the heart of Silicon Valley. Visit Senator Cortese’s website: https://sd15.senate.ca.gov

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