{"id":144736,"date":"2026-01-22T14:29:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T14:29:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/144736\/"},"modified":"2026-01-22T14:29:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T14:29:10","slug":"new-california-bills-inspired-by-fires-seek-insurance-changes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/144736\/","title":{"rendered":"New California bills, inspired by fires, seek insurance changes"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AA large housing development near Pittsburg on Sept, 2, 2021. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters<\/p>\n

Facing insurance claim delays, revolving doors of claims adjusters and payouts that don\u2019t cover the cost of repairs, survivors of last year\u2019s devastating Southern California wildfires still struggle not only with the aftermath of the disaster but also with their insurance companies.<\/p>\n

In response to their hardships, some California lawmakers are drafting new bills this session<\/a>, or reintroducing previously stalled proposals, that aim to regulate insurance companies and make their practices more transparent or timely, writes CalMatters\u2019 Levi Sumagaysay.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Some key measures include:<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 876 would make various amendments<\/a> to the state\u2019s insurance code, such as requiring companies to share their disaster-recovery plans with the state\u2019s insurance department; enable customers to know within five days when they\u2019re assigned a new adjuster; and increase penalties for companies that violate fair claims practices during emergencies. The bill by state Sen. Steve Padilla<\/a>, a Chula Vista Democrat and chairperson of the Senate Insurance Committee, is expected to face opposition from the insurance industry.<\/p>\n

Senate Bill 878, proposed by two Southern California Democrats, would hold insurers accountable if they miss deadlines for claims payments<\/a> by requiring them to pay 20% interest annually. Companies would also have to submit a report to the insurance department that proves they are in compliance with timely payments requirements.<\/p>\n

Assembly Bill 1559 is Assemblymember Lisa Calderon<\/a>\u2019s second attempt at regulating insurers\u2019 use of drone images<\/a>. The bill would require companies to let customers know when they plan to take drone images of their properties. It would also prohibit companies from ending coverage based on images taken more than 180 days before companies sent notice of the coverage termination. Policyholders would also be allowed to see the images if they want to dispute the insurers\u2019 claims, or take other actions before their policies are terminated. A previous proposal from the City of Industry Democrat stalled in the Senate last year.<\/p>\n

Read more here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For the record: In the California Voices section of Wednesday\u2019s newsletter, the diversion program bill mentioned is a two-year bill that remains pending in the Legislature.<\/p>\n

CalMatters events: Mi Escuelita, a San Diego preschool, is transforming how young children recover from trauma. Join our event on Feb. 5, in person in Chula Vista or virtually, to hear from California leaders in trauma-informed care about what works, what it takes to sustain it and how policymakers can expand these programs. Register today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What should justice look like in California today? Join us in Los Angeles on Feb. 25th for a conversation with L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, former CDCR Director Dave Lewis and Heidi Rummel of the Post-Conviction Justice Project, on prosecution, incarceration and whether reform or tougher policies will define the state\u2019s future. Register here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Other Stories You Should Know<\/p>\n

Is your wine American enough for you?<\/p>\n

\"TwoBottles of wine on display in the tasting room of Tablas Creek Vineyard in Paso Robles on July 30, 2025. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters\/CatchLight Local<\/p>\n

Under current federal standards, only 75% of a wine\u2019s grapes need to be sourced in America to be labeled \u201cAmerican wine\u201d \u2014 a percentage that\u2019s too low for two California legislators.<\/p>\n

Assemblymembers Rhodesia Ransom<\/a> of Stockton and Damon Connolly<\/a> of San Rafael recently introduced a bill that would require wine that is produced, bottled or sold in California be 100% sourced from grapes grown in America<\/a> if it is to be labeled American. Both Democrats represent districts that are vital for California\u2019s wine industry.<\/p>\n

The bill does not limit wine imports, change state blending rules or regulate sourcing decisions. It is only intended, said Ransom, to reassure consumers that the American wine they see in California stores is entirely American. The state\u2019s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control would be responsible for enforcing the rule and determining penalties if passed, according to Connolly\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

Ransom: \u201cCalifornia produces 80% of the nation\u2019s wine, and we know that California has a high standard of the origins of our grapes. We don\u2019t know the standards of areas outside California. \u2026 We want to make sure that when (consumers) purchase something, they know where it came from.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ransom said the bill was partly inspired from conversations with California wine growers and by a 2025 law she penned<\/a> that incentivises businesses to buy California glass bottles. California glass container makers must compete with foreign glass manufacturers, which do not have to comply with California\u2019s various environmental laws and standards.<\/p>\n

The wine bill is expected to be heard in committee next month.<\/p>\n

And lastly: CA governor annoyed by revoked media appearance halfway around the world<\/p>\n

\"Gov.Newsom during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 20, 2026. Photo by Markus Schreiber, AP Photo<\/p>\n

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday accused the White House of barring the governor from a media appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland \u2014 a day after Newsom slammed European leaders for not standing firmer against President Donald Trump. Read more<\/a> from CalMatters\u2019 Jeanne Kuang.<\/p>\n

California Voices<\/p>\n

CalMatters columnist Dan Walters: Are California\u2019s persistent \u201cBig 6\u201d problems the reason why so many potentially viable candidates decided not to run for governor<\/a>?<\/p>\n

CalMatters contributor Jim Newton: The principles that guided the LAPD away from ignominy since the Rodney King beating has been lost on ICE, which is poorly staffed and badly led<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Trump administration\u2019s plan to revoke S\u00e1tt\u00edtla Highlands\u2019s national monument designation would put wildlife at risk, devastate areas of Indigenous cultural importance and threaten millions of people\u2019s water supply, writes Heather Bourbeau<\/a>, writer who has worked with various United Nations agencies.<\/p>\n

Other things worth your time:<\/p>\n

Some stories may require a subscription to read.<\/p>\n

Trump administration concedes DOGE team may have misused Social Security data \/\/ Politico<\/a><\/p>\n

Supreme Court appears likely to strike down CA law banning guns in stores and restaurants \/\/ Los Angeles Times<\/a><\/p>\n

Rep. Swalwell\u2019s eligibility for CA governor questioned in lawsuit \/\/ The Mercury News<\/a><\/p>\n

CA Assemblymember Gabriel says state \u2018must do better\u2019 on housing after Newsom budget plan \/\/ The Sacramento Bee<\/a><\/p>\n

Why CA universities are still \u2018on edge\u2019 after Newsom proposed large budget increases \/\/ EdSource<\/a><\/p>\n

CA exceeds clean car goal despite declining federal support \/\/ Los Angeles Times<\/a><\/p>\n

Covered California policyholders are downgrading their plans as new enrollees plummet \/\/ San Francisco Chronicle<\/a><\/p>\n

San Clemente approves controversial Border Patrol agreement to deploy coastal surveillance cameras \/\/ LAist<\/a><\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Avatar\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLynn La is the newsletter writer for CalMatters, focusing on California\u2019s top political, policy and Capitol stories every weekday. She produces and curates WhatMatters, CalMatters\u2019 flagship daily newsletter…\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMore by Lynn La\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A large housing development near Pittsburg on Sept, 2, 2021. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters Facing insurance claim…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":144737,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[7,9,8],"class_list":{"0":"post-144736","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-california","8":"tag-california","9":"tag-california-headlines","10":"tag-california-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/144736","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=144736"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/144736\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/144737"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=144736"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=144736"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=144736"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}