Assembly Approves Sen. Dodd’s Climate Resilience Finance Bill

SACRAMENTO – The California Assembly has approved a proposal from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would address the effects of climate change, including sea-level rise and wildfire, through creation of local resilience districts to undertake and promote conservation efforts.

“California must confront the numerous challenges posed by our rapidly changing climate to make our state safer and more resilient,” Sen. Dodd said. “My bill will help communities take direct action, focusing on problems most relevant to their region. It represents a significant 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 with overwhelming support and heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom for his signature following Senate concurrence.

“The intensifying effects of climate change demand swift and comprehensive action,” said California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, who is co-sponsoring the bill. “SB 852 is a major step toward protecting all Californians by empowering communities to reduce risks more proactively and effectively through climate resilience districts. As proud co-sponsor, I commend Sen. Dodd for authoring and stewarding SB 852 and urge Gov. Newsom to sign this measure when it reaches his desk.”

“The clear and present danger of climate change impacts -- extreme heat, drought, wildfires -- only serves to underscore the urgency to provide local governments additional tools to respond to this crisis,” said Roger Dickinson, policy director of Civic Well, formerly the Local Government Commission, which is also sponsoring the bill. “SB 852 will give local governments the authority and flexibility to meet the climate challenge in the most effective way possible for their communities and we applaud the state Assembly for passing the bill.  We also continue to greatly appreciate the leadership of Sen. Dodd who has been an outspoken champion of this effort.”

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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.