AB2447 Fire safety bill in California State Senate committee:
Please Help!
A fire Safety bill is in the California State Senate Committee on Local Government. The bill has passed the State Assembly, but may face opposition in the Senate.
The purpose of the bill is too ensure that new subdivisions (such as the proposed Royal Gorge Development) in fire hazard areas are not approved without certain fire safety requirements considered. In particular the bill requires:
(1) The subdivision must be designed to the latest State standards for fire safety (roads, hydrants, signage, slopes, etc)
(2) The local fire agencies or Cal Fire must certify that they can and will provide structural fire protection for any homes that could be built on the proposed lots
(3) The subdivision has adequate evacuation egress (at least two access roads)
This bill is a long overdue fire safety requirement that is supported by firefighters throughout the state as well as: Sierra Club; CDF Firefighters; CA Professional Firefighters; Endangered Habitats League; Planning & Conservation League; Serene Lakes Property Owners Assoc; NRDC; Defenders of Wildlife; California League of Conservation Voters.
The Sacramento Bee has endorsed the bill in their editorial of May 28th:
http://www.sacbee.com/editorials/story/969443.html
The California Chamber of Commerce is vigorously opposing the bill, putting it on their "must kill" list. They and lobbyists for developers hope to kill the bill in the senate committee tomorrow morning.
You can help by immediately making a short phone call to the following committee members expressing your support for the bill.
Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod (chair) - (916) 651-4032
Senator Tom Harman - (916) 651-4035
Senator Michael Machado - (916) 651-4005
Senator Dave Cox (Vice Chair) (916) 651-4001
Senator Christine Kehoe (916) 651-4039
A suggested message is:
"I'm <<your name>> and I understand that Senator <<name>> will be considering a fire safety bill tomorrow morning in the Senate Committee on Local Government. The bill is the Subdivisions and Fire Hazards bill AB2447. I think the fire safety provisions in the bill are overdue and I encourage Senator <<name>> to support the legislation."
You may add your own message such as:
"I have a residence in a fire hazard area with a single access road and any more development there would be scary."
Please call immediately as the hearings start at 9:30 tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.
It would also be useful to contact your local State Senator to express your support for the legislation. You can find your senator by googling: California State Senator <<city name>>
Thank you
Joe Gray
PS,
The bill is sponsored by Assemblyman Dave Jones of Sacramento. His contact information is:
Assembly Member Dave Jones
Capitol Office
916-319-2009
A fact sheet from Assemblyman Jones on the bill is: AB2447 fact sheet