California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) vetoed a bill that would have required that new housing developments in very high fire zones have various elements to better withstand wildfires.
SB 182 would have mandated design elements such as evacuation routes, vegetation management, and fire-safe construction. It also directed cities and counties that update their long-term housing plans to examine how to retrofit vulnerable infrastructure, including identifying goals and potential funding sources to reduce wildfire risk.
In a Wednesday veto message, Newsom said he didn’t sign the bill because it would duplicate existing rules, create a loophole to avoid compliance, could ...