Our Strong Advocacy Continues
- Will Abrams
- Jun 1
- 3 min read
Fellow Wildfire Survivor Advocates:
OUR strong Advocacy Continues...
Yes, AB 2700 passed the Assembly Floor with a unanimous 76-0 vote!!! Amazing!!!
This is a major milestone for wildfire survivors. It happened because of persistent grassroots advocacy, survivor testimony, calls, letters, meetings, coalition-building, and the courage of wildfire survivors who continue to speak up for full, fair, and timely restitution.
We should take a moment to appreciate this progress. However, we also know that this is not the finish line. We must see this through and ensure AB 2700 is passed into law!
AB 2700 now moves to the Senate, where we plan to INCREASE our advocacy campaign!! The bill in its current form is already a major step toward creating a pathway for fire victims to be made whole. At the same time, we are actively working with Assemblymember Gallagher, a growing bipartisan group of co-authors, and Senate committee members and staff on amendments to strengthen the bill as it moves forward. We must continue to thank them for their leadership!
What does "strengthen the bill" mean? As reflected in the Assembly Appropriations Committee analysis, our goals are to strengthen AB 2700 so that it:
Creates a timely path to full restitution for PG&E fire victims;
Sets a foundation and precedent for equitable restitution for ALL utility-caused wildfire victims; and
Builds on existing CPUC and California Wildfire Fund processes to reduce administrative costs and streamline victim restitution.
This legislative process requires balancing what is possible with what is achievable. We are working to secure the strongest bill possible while also maintaining the votes needed to pass AB 2700 through the Senate and ultimately send it to the Governor’s desk.
We are continuing to engage in a nonpartisan and constructive way with every legislator, organization, and stakeholder willing to help improve the bill and support wildfire survivors.
Unfortunately, some organizations and attorneys who have a stated mission to represent fire victims, including the Fire Victim Trust Oversight Committee, Fairness for Fire Victims, and the new Wildfire Victims First organization, have not yet joined this survivor-led advocacy effort. Indeed, some survivors have seen communications from these organizations discouraging support for AB 2700. We continue to invite these groups to work constructively with us on amendments.
Rest assured, many stakeholders are stepping forward because they understand that full, fair, and timely compensation remains urgent for wildfire survivors, our families, and our communities. The recent In Your Corner - The Press Democrat article highlights the growing coalition behind AB 2700 and our ongoing fight for justice:
These organizations deserve our thanks and support!! As soon as we have the AB 2700 amendments we are prepared to support, we will share them with wildfire survivors and provide clear advocacy steps.
We deeply appreciate Assemblyman James Gallagher leadership as the author of AB 2700, the support of the bipartisan co-authors, and the growing number of survivors and community advocates who continue to push this effort forward.
Please stay tuned.
The Senate advocacy phase will require all of us. We will soon be sharing opportunities to call, write, testify, meet with legislators, and help expand support.
Thank you for your courage, your persistence, and your advocacy and especially the many Organizing Advocates of the Utility Wildfire Survivor Coalition!!!
We can only do this together!!!
Thanks again,
Will
P.S. PLEASE be ready to act quickly when we share advocacy steps, call scripts, letter templates, and hearing information. There will be many opportunities (remotely or in-person) to advocate and support AB 2700 and other legislation to support wildfire survivors, our families and our communities.
Check out this article by The Press Democrat.
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