Despite a year of devastating wildfires in California, several bills aimed at decreasing wildland fire risks and increasing firefighting apparatus and equipment died quietly in the legislature over the past few months. Partisan politics, opposition from special interest groups, and disputes between agencies were the primary reasons.

One of the most significant bills would have added a surcharge to property taxes based on the expected level of hazards from fires, floods, and earthquakes in specific areas. The added monies would have provided about $140 million per year and funded 11 new helicopters and 131 new fire engines for the California Office of Emergency Services. Republican legislators claimed it was a tax and would require a two-thirds majority approval from voters under the state’s Proposition 13 ruling enacted many years ago. The legislators refused to support or vote for it, and the bill died without action.

Another bill to charge rural homeowners an annual fee to fund fire prevention in their areas also failed because of legislative concerns about whether it was a tax. Many rural areas in California have little or no local protection and rely on the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for fire, rescue and emergency medical response.

Finally, a bill to require that construction of new residential subdivisions in rural areas must have at least two roads in and out, and that counties must demonstrate they have sufficient fire department resources nearby, died without reaching a vote. That bill was opposed by both the California Building Industry Association and by the Regional Council of Rural Counties.