News Releases

Utilities Break California Lobbying Record Under Newsom While Former Aides Lead Utility-Backed Wildfire Coalition

August 3, 2026  ·  Carmen Balber

New disclosures show utilities spent a record $16.7 million lobbying Sacramento through the first six quarters of the 2025–2026 legislative session as lawmakers consider a...

California’s For-Profit Utilities Bankroll “Wildfire Victims First” Front Group to Push Utility Bailout

July 28, 2026  ·  Carmen Balber

Consumer Watchdog analysis finds 66% of coalition organizations received utility money while utilities bankroll campaign to escape accountability for catastrophic wildfires Sacramento, CA — Consumer Watchdog today...

Consumer Alert Warns Gov. Newsom Against 11th Hour Plan to Bail Out Utilities for Fires They Cause; Exposes Ads from Utility Front Group Targeting Politicians  

July 22, 2026  ·  Carmen Balber

Sacramento, CA – A new Consumer Alert video (opens in new tab) from Consumer Watchdog exposes a new ad campaign by the phony “Wildfire Victims First” group as...

Legislation to Help Californians Keep Home Insurance Advances from Assembly Insurance Committee Today

June 24, 2026  ·  Carmen Balber

Sacramento, CA – A bill to help homeowners keep their insurance by requiring greater disclosure of reasons for nonrenewal and instructions for how to keep coverage...

Fire Survivors Seek Formal Role in State Farm Claims-Handling Enforcement Proceeding

June 18, 2026  ·  Will Pletcher

Every Fire Survivor’s Network asks to intervene in California Department of Insurance case over State Farm’s handling of Eaton and Palisades Fire claims PACIFIC PALISADES, CA —...

Bills to get Fire Survivors the Insurance they Paid for Pass Final Policy Committee in California Assembly 

June 17, 2026  ·  Carmen Balber

Sacramento, CA – Two bills to hold insurance companies accountable for the payouts they owe fire survivors passed the Assembly Insurance committee today with bipartisan support....

Lara Forced To Redo Anti-Consumer Intervenor Proposal

June 4, 2026  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

Los Angeles, CA – Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has withdrawn his proposed regulations attacking California’s consumer intervenor system after Consumer Watchdog twice pointed out that he...

Trio of Home Insurance Reform Bills to Require Fair and Timely Payouts and Improve Access to Coverage Clear CA Senate Floor

May 27, 2026  ·  Carmen Balber

Sacramento, CA – Fire survivors and consumer advocates celebrated the Senate passage of three bills to help families keep their home insurance coverage and get the insurance...

Three Bills Holding Insurance Companies to their Promises Pass Final Senate Committee, Head to Floor

May 14, 2026  ·  Carmen Balber

Sacramento, CA – Three bills to help families keep their home insurance coverage and get the insurance benefits they pay for after a disaster, passed out of...

Wildfire Survivors, Consumer Groups, Insurers, Public Entities Oppose Limits on Survivors’ Rights At Hearings In CA Capitol On CEA SB 254 Report  

May 12, 2026  ·  Jamie Court

Sacramento, CA  —  Survivors of the worst fires in California history will be speaking out against limits on their rights to recover damages from for-profit utilities that...

Consumer Watchdog Campaign: CA Insurance Commissioner Candidates Respond to Questions on Insurance Access, Claims and Climate Response

May 4, 2026  ·  Carmen Balber

Los Angeles, CA — Consumer Watchdog Campaign today released California insurance commissioner candidates’ responses to a questionnaire gauging how they will act to improve insurance access...

Consumer Alert: Senator Calls Insurance Coverage for Fire-Safe Communities “Communism” 

April 30, 2026  ·  Carmen Balber

Senator Laura Richardson calling consumer protections “communism” to block legislation requiring insurance coverage where homes are made fire-safe.