By Camille Von Kaenel, POLITICO
TRYING AGAIN: State lawmakers are reviving a legislative proposal to bar property insurers from denying coverage for homeowners who meet state fire-hardening standards. Sen. Sasha Renée Perez introduced SB 1076 on Friday, along with co-author Sen. Mike McGuire.
Similar measures have stalled for years in the Legislature amid heavy opposition from the industry, but a spiraling wildfire insurance market has made the idea popular with voters. Last year, Consumer Watchdog even briefly proposed the ban as a ballot measure before pulling it in a deal that also halted a competing measure by an insurance agent.
The latest legislative proposal now promises a showdown between the industry and consumer advocates in the Legislature, right as the race to replace outgoing Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara heats up. — CvK