Chico Times

As wildfires continue to impact communities across California, a recent decision by Assembly Democrats on the Public Safety Committee has drawn attention. Two proposed bills aimed at increasing penalties for arsonists were blocked by the committee. The first bill sought to introduce sentence enhancements for those responsible for fires burning over 500 acres of land. The second bill intended to increase punishment for individuals who recklessly start fires resulting in serious injury or significant property damage.

Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher expressed his disappointment with the decision, stating, “From cutting our fire prevention budget to going soft on arsonists, Democrats have shown time and again that stopping deadly fires isn’t a priority.” He emphasized that arsonists should face "serious consequences" rather than lenient penalties.

In addition to blocking these bills, concerns have been raised about previous budget decisions affecting wildfire prevention efforts. Last year, Governor Newsom and legislative Democrats reduced fire prevention funding by $143.9 million. Furthermore, Democrat lawmakers recently voted against an additional $1 billion allocation for wildfire prevention.

Despite these setbacks, Assembly Republicans have reiterated their commitment to holding arsonists accountable and ensuring the safety of California communities from wildfires.