Sen. Dodd Introduces Climate Financing Resilience Bill

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, introduced legislation today that would address the effects of climate change, including sea-level rise and wildfire, through creation of resilience districts to undertake and promote conservation efforts.

“We must confront the threats posed by our rapidly changing climate conditions and this legislation gives us an opportunity to do that,” said Sen. Dodd. “Communities would be able to take direct action against threats that have manifested themselves across our state, focusing on challenges that are most relevant to their region. By empowering ourselves in this way, we can make our communities safer and more resilient.”

Sen. Dodd’s legislation, Senate Bill 852, would allow cities, counties or special districts, either alone or in combination, establish climate resilience financing districts to undertake projects and programs to address climate change including wildfire, sea level rise, extreme heat and cold, drought, flooding, and related matters.  The districts would be able to raise revenue through tax increment funding, voter-approved supplemental property taxes, property benefit assessments or fees. 

“Climate change presents the most significant economic, social, and environmental challenge of our time,” said Roger Dickinson, policy director of the Local Government Commission, which is sponsoring the bill. “Local governments are on the front line of grappling with the impacts and effects of this monumental challenge and SB 852 will give them the ability to use a variety of means to take it on.” 

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Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and Sacramento counties. You can learn more about the district and Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.