Sen. Dodd’s Climate Resilience Finance Bill Advances

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, announced today his legislation to address the effects of climate change, including sea-level rise and wildfire, through creation of local resilience districts to undertake and promote conservation efforts, has cleared a key Assembly hurdle.

“By focusing on problems most relevant to their region, communities would be able to take direct action to make us safer and more resilient,” Sen. Dodd said. “This legislation allows us to confront the numerous challenges posed by our rapidly changing climate. With this approval, we take another step toward addressing this pressing, existential threat.”

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. 

SB 852 passed the Assembly Local Government committee with overwhelming support.

It heads next to the Assembly Natural Resources committee.

 “SB 852 provides a focused yet flexible approach for local governments to take on the climate crisis; just what we need at this moment,” said Roger Dickinson, policy director of Civic Well, formerly the Local Government Commission, which is sponsoring the bill. “We’re gratified that the Assembly Local Government committee agreed and approved the bill. And we're grateful for the leadership Sen. Dodd has shown in championing this legislation.”

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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.