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California proposes annual Home Hardening Week to lower insurance costs
The proposal cites wildfire losses and estimates that comprehensive home hardening could raise structure survival rates to as high as 48% with defensible space.
California lawmakers are moving to promote an annual Home Hardening Week, framing building upgrades like fire resistant roofs, vent screens, and defensible space as a way to tackle rising homeowners insurance costs. Insurance Business reports that Assemblyman Steve Bennett introduced House Resolution No. 136 on August 10, 2026, during the 2025 to 26 regular session, with the second week of September 2026 designated, and every second week of September afterward.
The resolution points to worsening wildfire impacts, noting that 10 of the 20 largest wildfires in California history have occurred since 2020. It also says wildfire damages are pegged at between $250 billion and $270 billion in 2025 alone, and that homeowners insurance rates rose more than 43% between 2018 and 2023.
Home hardening is described as both flame and ember resistance, plus defensible space around homes, and the resolution lists specific measures including fire resistant roofing, ember resistant vent screens, gutter coverings, and well sealed vents, windows, and doors. The proposal also references a study titled Fire Risk to Structures in California's Wildland-Urban Interface, published August 28, 2025, which the resolution says found that comprehensive hardening could produce a 25% structure survival rate, rising to 40% with defensible space in zone 0 and 48% with defensible space extended into zone 1.
Because it is a resolution, the measure would not carry the force of law, but would direct the Chief Clerk to send copies to the California Fire Safe Council and every county board of supervisors. The resolution cites the effectiveness of hardening as a tool to protect homes and reduce homeowners insurance rate costs, urging homeowners to take action.