The Assembly Natural Resources Committee advanced SB 1229 on June 8, moving Senator Ben Allen’s bill forward after hearing testimony on how California handles coastal rebuilding after disasters.
According to the committee’s hearing record, SB 1229 would limit use of coastal disaster rebuild exemptions when replacement structures would impede public access or affect sensitive areas. Supporters told lawmakers the proposal is meant to prevent speculative use of rebuilding rules while preserving disaster relief for homeowners.
The bill came up during a hearing that also featured other coastal and environmental measures. The committee record shows the proposal advanced along with measures on coastal protection, offshore drilling, climate equity, and Imperial County air district governance.
Testimony on SB 1229 referenced rebuilding pressure after the Palisades Fire and concerns about properties being sold to investors after disasters. Environmental groups including Sierra Club California and Surfrider Foundation were listed among supporters in the committee record, along with speakers identified as Molly Colton, Jennifer Fearing, and Natalie Brown.
The hearing materials do not include the committee vote count for SB 1229 in the excerpt provided, but the committee did move the bill forward. The record also does not spell out the final amended language, so the precise scope of the exemption changes may still evolve as the bill advances.
