Assemblymember Gonzalez, Senator Durazo, and Mayor Bass Respond to the Lineage Fire Disaster with Legislation
What you need to know: Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez, Mayor Karen Bass, & Senator María Elena Durazo introduced AB 817 and SB 716 - a legislative package to protect our future while also paving a legal pathway to support our community now.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Despite ongoing cleanup efforts, Assemblymember Mark González, Senator María Elena Durazo, and Mayor Karen Bass have introduced a legislative package in response to the devastating Lineage fire that occurred in Boyle Heights.
This disaster has demonstrated the need for leaders across all levels of government and across city lines to work in partnership to deliver the justice that impacted communities deserve.
“This legislation aims to heal a wound — one that will take time to repair,” said Assemblymember Mark González. “Because this was not just an attack on our health, it was an insult to our trust. We cannot predict when or if another disaster is going to happen, but we can ensure that we plan for it and prepare financially to support our community.”
AB 817 will ensure that Lineage cannot rebuild without being accountable to the local community.
Specifically, this bill will:
1. Prevent the city and county from issuing a new building permit for cold storage facilities like Lineage, unless they maintain a contingency fund that can be accessed in states of emergency. This fund will exist to ensure substantial funding will be available for food assistance, housing assistance, air quality monitoring, environmental clean-up, and remediation of any hazardous materials
2. Ensure any settlements that residents get from this incident are tax-free. That money is not income. It is compensation for suffering. They have been through enough – they shouldn’t have to worry about paying state taxes on money that is rightfully owed to them.
3. Require local governments to take quicker action on eliminating and controlling vectors like rats and flies if a state of emergency is declared. Fines are a great starting point, but fines do not immediately get rid of rats and flies. Protecting public health is an essential part of government – especially if there are massive threats due to disease-spreading rodents and insects.
“AB 817 will not undo what has happened, but it can make sure that the next community in California is left with the same questions. It can make sure there is a plan, there are resources, there is accountability, and most importantly there is a government ready to act,” said González.
SB 716 raises the ceiling on city and county ordinance fines for large non-residential structures so that penalties scale with the severity of the violation. The current cap of $2,000 per day, regardless of the scope of the harm, is not sufficient to propel action. An escalating structure and the ability to multiply fines by a factor of 10, up to $50,000 per violation, gives locals meaningful leverage to compel rapid remediation.
“Senate Bill 716, as proposed to be amended and with an urgency clause, increases fines for city and county ordinance violations for nonresidential structures of 20,000 or more square feet,” said Senator María Elena Durazo. “Violators would face $1,000 for a first violation, $2,000 for a second violation, and $5,000 for each additional violation. If the violation results from a state or federal disaster declaration, these fines can be multiplied up to $50,000 per violation. We must urgently compel action for the ongoing rotting stench and infestation created by this facility. Residents have endured overwhelming odors, pest infestations, and the daily indignity and hazard of living beside decomposing, fire-damaged materials.”
Together, AB 817 and SB 716 will push forward accountability because we know that this will not be the last time a corporation tries to get away with its actions. It is our duty to protect our future while also paving a legal pathway to support our community in the present.
"The City of Commerce fully supports AB 817 and SB 716 as important steps toward protecting our residents and holding companies accountable when their actions cause devastating environmental harm,” Mayor Kevin Lainez, City of Commerce. The Lineage Logistics fire and its ongoing aftermath demonstrate why we need stronger accountability and meaningful protections for our communities."
"For 40 years, Proyecto Pastoral at Dolores Mission has stood with the families of Boyle Heights, and this warehouse fire has pushed an already-burdened community to a breaking point,” said Raquel Román, Executive Director of Proyecto Pastoral at Dolores Mission. “Corporations and government officials cannot keep treating our response as sufficient; they have a direct responsibility to act now, with real resources and real accountability, so our neighbors are not left to carry this burden alone."
"Air pollution doesn't recognize city boundaries. Montebello distributed over 750 air purifiers to residents across Boyle Heights and surrounding communities, and provided transportation so Boyle Heights residents could be heard at the AQMD hearing,” said Mayor Georgina Tamayo, City of Montebello. “Montebello stands with our neighbors — our families deserve clean and healthy air."
“We know that accountability is never about punishment… it’s about PROMISE,” said Father Brendan of Dolores Mission.
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Senator María Elena Durazo represents the 26th Senate District which includes Central Los Angeles, Northeast Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, and the City of Vernon.
Assemblymember Mark González is the Assembly Majority Whip. He serves on the Committees on Appropriations, Health, Public Safety, Rules, and Utilities & Energy. He represents the 54th District, composed of the cities of Los Angeles, Commerce, Montebello, and Vernon.
