Controversy swirls around California’s failed wildfire insurance bill that would have cut costs for homeowners who spend on risk mitigation — local reporters followed the money trail

How SB 1060 would have helped

SB 1060 would have required insurance companies to factor mitigation efforts into their risk assessment models and increased transparency on these evaluations. It aimed to lower premiums and create a more transparent market. It was passed in the Senate, but was pulled in the Assembly.

Becker told ABC7 he didn't bring the bill up for a final hearing, citing a lack of support and unwelcome amendments added by insurance companies.

"I rejected insurance industry amendments that would have rendered it useless and intend to reintroduce an effective version of the bill next year," he said.

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Following the money trail

ABC7 looked at campaign contributions data compiled by nonprofit and watchdog group Follow the Money and found that the 11 senators who voted against SB 1060 or were reported as "absent" for the vote received campaign contributions from the "Finance, Insurance and Real Estate Industries" totaling over $4 million since assuming political office. These are contributions from individuals and political action committees.

State Senator Janet Nguyen, who voted against the bill, represents Laguna Niguel, a region devastated by wildfires. She received $866,870 from these industries. State Senator Brian Dahle, whose district has suffered multiple catastrophic fires, voted against SB 1060, citing the bill’s complexity and alleged conflicts with the Governor’s executive orders. He received approx. $570,038 from these industries since assuming office in the state assembly in 2012. The report said that's 56% of all the money he's received while in office.

Sen. Becker received $417,697 from those industries since assuming office.

"It's shocking that a legislator that represents a fire-torn area could vote no on a bill that requires that companies take into account hardening. I mean, the point of the modeling is to know that certain areas are more prone to fires. And if you're not taking into consideration home hardening and those type[s] of wildfire prevention tactics, then what are you modeling? What are you doing?"Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog, said to ABC7. "Four million dollars is an awful lot of money in a state legislature to give to less than a dozen legislators, cause the contribution limits are so low. It means that they really, really mobilized."