SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - This week, Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick (R-Alturas) secured major legislative victories for rural communities, environmental safety and wildfire resilience as five of her bills—AB 429, AB 441, AB 959, AB 993, and AB 998 —cleared the State Assembly with unanimous bipartisan support and are now headed to the Senate.

AB 429 – Tax Relief for Wildfire Victims. AB 429 ensures wildfire victims in Butte, Plumas, Lassen, Shasta, Tehama, and Siskiyou counties won’t be taxed on settlement payments from the 2021 Dixie Fire and 2022 Mill Fire.

AB 441 – Extending Wildfire Research and Mitigation Programs. AB 441 extends the work of California’s Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development and the statewide wildfire mitigation program through 2031. These programs deliver cutting-edge tools and funding to vulnerable regions—helping communities prepare for, fight, and recover from devastating wildfires.

AB 959 – Expanding Access to Administrative Credential Internships. AB 959 opens up administrative credential internships to both school districts and county offices of education—broadening access to leadership development for future school administrators.

AB 993 – Expanding Hazardous Materials Support to Rural Counties. AB 993 brings long-overdue equity to California’s rural communities by expanding eligibility for Rural CUPA (Certified Unified Program Agency) Reimbursement funds to all counties with fewer than 150,000 residents—regardless of their certification date or past technicalities.

AB 998 – Safe Disposal of Confiscated Vape Pens in Schools. AB 998 gives schools a safe, legal pathway to dispose of confiscated vape pens by classifying them as household hazardous waste. The bill ensures vape devices are safely disassembled to prevent chemical exposure and prohibits their redistribution through materials exchange programs.

All five of these bills now advance to the State Senate, where Assemblywoman Hadwick will continue advocating for rural equity, environmental stewardship, and public safety.

To learn more about these and other pieces of legislation, visit California Legislative Information.