Assemblywoman Luz Rivas Appointed as Chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management

SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblywoman Luz Rivas (D-Arleta) was appointed as the Chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management (Joint Committee) by California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood). This Joint Committee is comprised of seven Members of the Assembly and seven Members of the Senate to oversee disaster preparedness, emergency management, and homeland security issues.

“As a representative of a district that was recently impacted by the Saddleridge Fire, I know firsthand that the decisions made during an emergency can alter the outcome and impacts to our communities. I also know that that decisions we make before disasters occur can determine the impacts that they have on the health and safety of our residents in rural and urban communities. I am honored that Speaker Rendon has appointed me as the Chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas. “As we are approaching wildfire season during a global pandemic, it is vital that we have plans on how to mitigate fires while keeping our emergency responders and community members safe. I look forward to working with the vice-chair and members of the committee on ways that we can better prepare our communities for unexpected disasters through greater emergency preparedness.”

California is prone to wildfire, earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters. This Joint Committee was first established in 2004 as Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management and Homeland Security by Assemblymember Christine Kehoe through Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 240 (Res. Chapter 144, Statutes of 2004). In 2011, Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal continued the existence of this Joint Committee and provided jurisdictional power to oversee and address California's emergency management issues through ACR 38 (Res. Chapter 31, Statutes of 2011).

Assemblywoman Rivas proudly represents the 39th Assembly District, which includes the City of Los Angeles communities of Arleta, Lake View Terrace, Granada Hills, Mission Hills, North Hollywood, Pacoima, Sun Valley, Sunland-Tujunga, Sylmar, and the City of San Fernando.