GOP bill seeks to repeal Calif. rural firefighting fee
GOP bill seeks to repeal Calif. rural firefighting fee
16 March 2012
published by www.mynews4.com
USA — Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation to repeal a fire-protection fee on rural property owners.
AB1506 would overturn the surcharge, which will affect about 850,000 landowners. The annual fee will be imposed for the first time this spring, perhaps by the end of March.
Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic lawmakers approved the maximum $150 fee last year. The governor said those who choose to live in wildfire-prone areas should pay more for the cost of fire protection.
Republican Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries of Lake Elsinore acknowledged on Thursday that his bill’s chances of passing are “uphill at best.”
The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is preparing a lawsuit challenging the fee’s constitutionality and is seeking plaintiffs. A ballot initiative to overturn the fee fell short of the signatures needed to go before voters.
