Four Harabedian Wildfire Recovery Bills Clear Legislature and Await Newsom’s Signature

Four wildfire recovery bills written by Assemblymember John Harabedian, D-Pasadena, cleared the California Legislature and now await Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature, Harabedian announced Tuesday.

The package grew out of the January 2025 Eaton Fire in Altadena, which Harabedian represents.

AB 1642 directs the Department of Toxic Substances Control to adopt regulations on lead and asbestos testing and remediation after a wildfire by Dec. 31, 2028. It becomes operative only if AB 1795, the Smoke Damage Recovery Act by Assemblymember Mike Gipson, takes effect on or before Jan. 1, 2027; that bill also passed.

AB 1842, the California Mortgage Relief Act, would require servicers to offer forbearance of up to 12 months for homes made uninhabitable by a disaster. AB 1847 extends the deadline for Eaton and Palisades fire survivors to request forbearance to Jan. 7, 2029. AB 2038 amends the Insurance Code section on post-disaster cancellations and nonrenewals.

Financial industry groups opposed the mortgage bills. The California Bankers Association, the California Chamber of Commerce and California’s Credit Unions were among eight organizations registered against AB 1847, according to the Senate Judiciary Committee’s analysis. The office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass sponsored it.

Newsom signed two Harabedian wildfire bills in 2025 and vetoed two others.

“The Legislature has done its part, and now the responsibility is with the Governor,” Harabedian said. “I urge the Governor to sign these four bills and stand with families who are still rebuilding.”