Governor Signs Obernoltes Bill

APPROVES Water Supply While Rebuilding

Assemblyman wants Protection For Owners of

FIRE DESTROYED HOMES

In Sacramento, California, Assemblyman Obernolte (R-Hesperia) announced that California Governor Brown has signed Assembly Bill #367, which allows homeowners that use hauled water as their water supply to rebuild their home if it is destroyed in a fire.

“Last year our community was devastated by the Blue Cut Fire. Currently, both Northern and Southern California are suffering from terrible fires,” said Assemblyman Obernolte. “After a family has lost everything in a horrible tragedy, the state’s over burdensome regulations should not prevent them from rebuilding their home. This Bill ensures that families who rely on hauled water are protected in the event that their home is lost in a fire.”

Last year, the Governor signed Senate Bill 1263 into law, which prohibits the issuance of a building permit to a residence where the source of water supply is hauled water. SB 1263 did not take into account that many rural areas – the most common areas devastated by wildfires – have homes built on land located in areas without adequate water infrastructure and are thus forced to depend on hauled water. AB 367 provides an exemption to this egregious prohibition for the rebuilding of homes tragically lost in a fire.

Assembly Bill #367 will go into effect on January 1, 2018.