Rep. Ruiz’s Wildfire Prevention Bill to be signed into law

Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) announced that his bipartisan Wildfire Prevention Act passed the House and the Senate as part of the budget deal reopening the federal government early Friday morning. He said it would be signed into law.

The Wildfire Prevention Act was included as part of a package of disaster relief provisions that in total provide $89.3 billion to help communities in California, Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and across the nation recover in the wake of the devastating wildfire and hurricane season. The bill was included in the Bipartisan Budget Act, which provides the framework for long-term funding for the federal government.

The bill was first introduced after the 2013 Mountain Fire in Idyllwild and passed the House in December 2017. It specifically authorizes the President to provide hazard mitigation assistance in any area affected by a fire for which fire management assistance was provided, regardless of whether a major disaster is declared.

“Today my bipartisan Wildfire Prevention Act passed the House and Senate, a critical victory for our district and the entire state. This bill will give local communities devastated by wildfires the resources needed to recover, rebuild, prevent future fires, and keep people safe,” said Dr. Ruiz. “This bill now heads to the President’s desk for signature to become law. I am deeply honored to deliver this important win for our local communities, California, and people still recovering from severe wildfires.”