California is adopting nearly two dozen new laws aimed at preventing and fighting the devastating wildfires that have charred large swaths of the state in recent years, killing scores and destroying a Sierra foothills city last fall.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced signing the 22 bills Wednesday, saying several will also help the state meet its clean energy goals.
He said they largely enact recommendations from a June report by a governor’s task force and build on $1 billion in the state budget devoted to preparing for wildfires and other emergencies.
Several of the new laws encourage communities to adopt new standards for making homes and their surroundings more fire resistant. Others address the precautionary power shutoffs that utilities have begun using more frequently to prevent fires sparked by electric lines.