2026 Legislative Session: What It Means for Wildfire & Climate Resilience
California’s 2026-27 legislative session wrapped up September 1 after a turbulent final week of negotiations over wildfire policy, funding, and the state budget. While a last-minute proposal on wildfire liability ultimately stalled, the Legislature did restore and increase funding for climate resilience through Proposition 4 and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF)—a meaningful outcome for Sierra communities amid a challenging state budget year.
The final plan includes $329.5 million for wildfire and forest resilience through Prop 4 and $118 million for wildfire prevention through GGRF. While these investments are an improvement over the June budget, wildfire resilience funding remains near historic lows, with no clear plan for sustained investment in future years.
Read more about the final budget, Prop 4 and GGRF allocations, and what’s next for wildfire and climate resilience in the Sierra.
How a November Ballot Measure can support housing in the Sierra
SBC is supporting the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026 (Prop 1), which will go in front of voters on the November ballot. Its passage is critical to advancing California’s housing goals, as Prop 1 would provide much-needed sustained investment in housing programs and projects across the state. Progress without it would be much more challenging, as funding for many housing programs has been exhausted.
August 2026: From the capitol
The Legislature is entering the final days of the legislative session with a packed agenda. Hundreds of bills still need to reach the Governor’s desk, while legislators face major decisions on climate funding, the Governor’s wildfire liability proposal, and a range of other competing policy priorities.
July Legislative Update: Housing Bond & Wildfire Plan
Our July update from our government affairs team with what’s happening this month in the Capitol, information on the new Wildfire Action Plan, and a link to our Wildfire Resilience Workforce survey. This month’s blog also features a look at the upcoming Housing Bond that will be on ballots this November, and how it will impact communities in the Sierra.
June Advocacy Updates
This issue takes a closer look at recent changes to California’s Cap-and-Invest program and what they could mean for climate investments across the state. You’ll also find the latest on what’s happening in Sacramento that impacts on our region.
May 2026 – Appropriations & Legislative Updates
May 2026 – Appropriations & Legislative Updates May 15 was the final day for fiscal committees to consider bills introduced in the House where they started. Bills with a price tag over $50,000 had to make it off the Appropriations’ suspense file, where bills that would cost money to implement are routinely rejected, especially in […]
What Does Nevada’s Data Center Boom Mean for Tahoe’s Energy Future – and Local Consumer Costs
What Does Nevada’s Data Center Boom Mean for Tahoe’s Energy Future – and Local Consumer Costs Rapid growth in energy demand — driven in part by data centers, electrification, and population growth — is reshaping regional electricity markets and infrastructure planning throughout the country. For communities in the Sierra, and particularly in the Tahoe Basin, […]
Concerns with CARB’s Cap-and-Invest Proposal
CARB’s recent Cap-and-Invest proposal would undermine our region’s climate resilience by extending our reliance on fossil fuels and reducing funding for the solutions our communities need. Here’s why.
Recap: Annual Sierra Day at the Capitol Turns Dialog Into Action
On April 28, Sierra Business Council and the Sierra Nevada Alliance convened a contingent of more than 30 regional leaders, local elected officials, state policymakers, and in Sacramento for Sierra Day at the Capitol, an annual advocacy event that brings Sierra voices and perspectives to California’s lawmakers.
April 2026 Legislative Update
As the second year of the legislative session enters full swing, SBC has been busy advocating in the Capitol for legislative and budget priorities related to wildfire resilience, climate bond funding, and housing.