Berg's Disaster Relief Bill Sent to Governor
Legislature approves measure to help counties, homeowners and businesses
8/30/2006
The state Assembly on Tuesday sent Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger a bill by Assemblymember Patty Berg that offers financial help to counties hard hit by flooding and mudslides that hit Northern California in December and January.
Assembly Bill 1798 will provide assistance to Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake, Napa, Sonoma and Trinity counties, all of which suffered millions of dollars in damage from a series of powerful storms that pounded the North Coast late last year.
AB 1798 provides property tax relief to residents whose homes were made uninhabitable, and to businesses that suffered substantial losses. The bill also provides money to counties that suffered losses because so many properties fell off the tax rolls as a result of damage. In all, the bill could provide more than $4 million in direct and indirect assistance.
“Our whole region was hit hard by those storms,” said Berg (D-Eureka). “I’m very pleased that the Legislature has agreed to provide this help.”
The bill has been approved by both houses of the Legislature and needs only the governor’s signature to become law. Because the bill was passed as an “urgency measure,” it will become law as soon as the governor signs it, rather than waiting until Jan. 1, as is the case with most bills. That distinction means state aid can more quickly begin moving to the affected counties.
The bill adds the so-called New Year’s storms to a list of disasters that qualify for state aid. Between Dec. 17, 2005, and Jan. 3, a series of powerful storms pounded the northern half of the state, bringing destructive winds and dumping enough water to saturate hillsides and overflow streams and rivers. Hundreds of people were forced from their homes, and more than a half million went for days without power. The storm damaged roads and bridges and schools and businesses. Three people lost their lives.
The assistance provided by AB 1798 is identical to the aid offered to other regions of the state that have been hit by disasters over the years.
# # #