Senator Bill Dodd

SACRAMENTO – Despite intense insurance industry lobbying, lawmakers on Friday approved a bill from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that will help victims of disasters such as wildfires recover losses from their insurance companies. 

SACRAMENTO – The California Senate will vote today on Senate Bill 901, the comprehensive legislative report detailing plans for preventing future catastrophic wildfires across the state while protecting utility ratepayers from unfairly bearing the costs of wildfire impacts.

Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, calls SB 901 a “commonsense solution that puts ratepayers and victims first, embraces wildfire-prevention best practices and reduces fire fuel in our forests.”

SACRAMENTO – A bill from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, to strengthen California’s efforts to prevent drunken driving was approved by the Legislature today with overwhelming, bipartisan support.

“Sadly, drunken-driving crashes, injuries and deaths are too common in California,” Senator Dodd said. “This bill will prevent impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel and make our roads safer.”

SACRAMENTO – Lawmakers on Wednesday approved legislation from Senator Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would protect low-income families from getting their water service terminated.

“Access to water is a fundamental right of all Californians and we must protect it now and for generations to come,” Senator Dodd said. “We simply cannot cut off water service to poor families just because they have fallen on hard times. This creates a sustainable and equitable delivery system that will protect this vulnerable population including seniors, children and those with illness or disability.”

SACRAMENTO – Lawmakers on Monday overwhelmingly approved a bill from Senator Bill Dodd, D-Napa, to encourage media literacy in public schools, ensuring students have the tools to succeed in the digital age.

“This bill is about empowering students to make informed decisions,” Senator Dodd said. “And frankly, it’s about safeguarding the future of our democracy.”

SACRAMENTO – The legislative Conference Committee on Wildfire Preparedness and Response on Friday discussed key elements of a proposed committee report that includes provisions for protecting Californians from future wildfires and preventing electric utility ratepayers from bearing unfair costs.

SACRAMENTO – A bill from Senator Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that will improve In-Home Supportive Services for those hit by natural disasters including wildfires won final legislative approval Monday and heads to Gov. Jerry Brown for a signature.

“We must continue to care for our disabled and elderly, even when disaster strikes,” Senator Dodd said. “This bill will ensure protection for our most vulnerable population.”

SACRAMENTO – A bill from Senator Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that would authorize the state to fund construction of the uncompleted phases of the Napa River flood protection project when there are no available federal funds passed the Assembly Thursday with a unanimous vote.

“I am extremely pleased to advance this bill, which will allow Napa to fund construction of uncompleted phases of the Napa River flood protection project without federal funding,” Senator Dodd said.

SACRAMENTO -- Senator Bill Dodd’s wildfire safety-related proposal requiring newly sold or installed electric garage door openers to be equipped with backup batteries to prevent people from being trapped in their garages during power failures took a step closer to becoming law Thursday when it passed the Assembly with overwhelming support.

SACRAMENTO – A panel of experts on topics ranging from fire science to forest management will testify Tuesday before the Conference Committee on Wildfire Preparedness and Response as lawmakers shift their focus from utility liability to fire prevention. The hearing begins at 2 p.m. in state Capitol Room 4202.