Almost 100 Days After the Lineage Fire, Advocates Make Final Push for Governor Newsom to Sign SB 716

LOS ANGELES - This Friday marks 100 days since a fire broke out at the Lineage Logistics cold storage warehouse in Boyle Heights, a disaster that left residents living with toxic smoke, an estimated 88 million pounds of rotting food, and severe pest infestations for months afterward.

Senator María Elena Durazo, community organizations, and residents are making a final push urging Governor Newsom to sign SB 716 before his deadline to act. The bill would raise the cap on fines on large companies whose violations threaten public health and safety, a cap that has not been updated since 1983, up to $50,000 per violation when tied to a declared state or federal emergency.

"For months, residents lived through the unimaginable, exposed to smoke and toxic chemicals, living beside 88 million pounds of rotting food and the overwhelming stench that came with it, and battling infestations of rats and flies during the hottest time of the year," said Senator Durazo. "The fines on the books were not a deterrent for a multi-billion-dollar corporation dragging out a slow cleanup. The fines were a rounding error to them. That is why I introduced SB 716, to let cities and counties impose fines that actually scale with the harm and prevent a crisis like this from happening again. As we approach 100 days since this crisis began, residents, advocates, and community organizations are making their voices heard. I join them in urging Governor Newsom to sign SB 716 without delay."

SB 716 passed the California Legislature with broad support from local governments, community organizations, and public health advocates, including the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and the League of California Cities. The bill now awaits Governor Newsom's signature.

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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.