Thursday, June 11, 2026

Pasadena Lawmaker’s Wildfire Insurance Bill Passes California Senate Committee

Legislation by Assemblymember John Harabedian would extend non-renewal protections for Eaton Fire survivors as they rebuild

A bill that would give Pasadena and Altadena wildfire survivors more time before insurers can drop their coverage passed the California Senate Insurance Committee, the office of Assemblymember John Harabedian announced in a press release.

AB 2038, authored by Harabedian (D-Pasadena) and jointly authored with Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood), would extend existing insurance moratorium protections to better reflect the years-long reality of rebuilding after a major disaster, according to the press release.

The bill is directly relevant to Altadena, which along with Los Angeles County was devastated by the Eaton and Palisades Fires in January 2025, according to the press release.

Under existing law — Senate Bill 824, authored by Lara in 2018 — insurers face a one-year moratorium when they attempt to cancel residential policies after a natural disaster if the home is in a disaster zone, and a two-year moratorium if the house was lost in the disaster, the press release states.

Harabedian’s office said the committee’s approval is a significant milestone because the Senate Insurance Committee is responsible for evaluating legislation that affects California’s insurance market and consumer protections. Approval by the committee, the office said, signals growing recognition that current timelines no longer match the realities faced by wildfire survivors and that stronger defense is needed to keep families housed and communities intact.

“Families should not have to deal with the added layer of stress and uncertainty from insurance nonrenewals,” Harabedian said in the press release. “Extending the moratorium period for homeowners allows them to focus on recovery and removes the burden of worrying about insurance coverage. This is crucial to reducing displacement and providing a pathway to stability for our communities as they rebuild.”

According to the press release, the legislation has continued to build momentum throughout the legislative process as legislators, wildfire survivors, and community advocates push for reforms that better reflect the challenges facing disaster-impacted communities. Supporters argue that as California experiences more frequent and destructive wildfires, insurance protections must evolve to meet the scale of modern recovery efforts.

Zbur framed the bill in similar terms.

“Rebuilding after a wildfire is not measured in months. It is measured in years,” Zbur said in the press release. “This bill helps to make sure families are not punished for circumstances beyond their control and gives them a fair chance to rebuild and remain in their communities.”

Harabedian represents California’s 41st Assembly District, composed of the cities of La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Bradbury, San Dimas, La Verne, Claremont, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Oak Hills, Piñon Hills and Phelan.

AB 2038 now advances to the Senate Appropriations Committee for a vote in August, according to the press release.