Joy honored in Sacramento. Insurance companies push back
March 18, 2026
Hi friend,
I'm Reina Pomeroy, Managing Director at EFSN, holding down the fort with this week's newsletter while Joy is away in Sacramento.
Yesterday, Joy was honored on the Senate floor as California Woman of the Year by Senator Sasha Renée Pérez.
From Senator Pérez's press release:
Joy is a force of nature who has worked with endless energy to advocate for the survivors of the Eaton Fire. Whether holding the insurance industry or utility companies accountable to meeting their obligations during fire recovery, Joy has led with strength, resolve, and compassion. She is fighting every day to create an equitable recovery for all fire survivors and has been an invaluable partner in some of my most critical legislation to support Altadena's healing. Our community is immeasurably better because of Joy and the Eaton Fire Survivors Network.
We are so proud of her!
Joy asked me to share that she receives this honor on behalf of EFSN and survivors and allies across Los Angeles who are fighting every day to build a better future for our families and communities.
Read Senator Perez's press release naming Joy the Woman of the Year.
Today and tomorrow, Joy is meeting with policymakers across Sacramento, sharing our stories and building support for the insurance reforms our recovery depends on.
Insurance Fight Our Bills
Joy is hearing rumblings across the Capitol that the insurance industry is actively organizing to stop our reform package.
Their biggest target?
SB 1076 (Perez): Guaranteed Insurance Coverage for Fire-Safe Homes
Two statewide polls show that 85% of Californians support this. But the insurance industry does not. And they are one of Sacramento's most powerful forces, with deep relationships and influence across the system.
We have seen this before.
In 2023, a nearly identical bill introduced by then Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire didn't even make it to its first committee hearing.
The industry would like to do the same thing again.
Quietly, efficiently, and out of public view.
But here's what's different this time. They have lobbyists but we have each other.
Right now, we need to mobilize.
The first Senate Insurance Committee hearing is April 8.
That means signatures and endorsements are needed by March 30.
Our bill package addresses two interlocking crises:
Families cannot reliably buy or keep insurance coverage.
Families cannot reliably receive the benefits we already paid for.
The four bills:
SB 1076 (Pérez): Guaranteed Insurance Coverage for Fire-Safe Homes Act
SB 1301 (Allen): Nonrenewal Guardrails to Preserve Coverage Act
SB 877 (Pérez): Fair Claims Practices and Transparency Act
SB 878 (Pérez): Insurance Payment Accountability Act
If you are a survivor or an ally, please sign.
If you are part of an organization, please ask your organization to endorse. In the form, there is an optional field to share your insurance experience directly with lawmakers.
Even a few sentences matter, because your story is evidence.
And right now, evidence is what can move policy.
Add your name. Share your story.
Send this to every survivor and ally network you know.
Rally for Recovery Pickleball Festival — MAY 30
The Rally for Recovery is our opportunity to gather as a community with a focus on joy and community. Survivors, allies, families, friends, and maybe even a few surprise celebrities.
We're creating a day of connection, joy, and solidarity.
Yes, there will be pickleball. You're welcome to attend as a spectator and be in community.
This is also our major fundraiser of the year, which makes it possible for us to continue offering all of our programming for free to survivors across Los Angeles.
And this year matters more than ever, because recovery does not end in year one.
Bring your friends and family. It's a day where Los Angeles shows up for its own.
Get your tickets now:
https://www.efsurvivors.net/rally-for-recovery
Spa for the Soul — RSVP
Recovery is a long slog, not just financially, but emotionally.
In the latest Department of Angels survey, 83% of LA fire survivors report their mental health has worsened since the fires. So, in partnership with Trauma Resource Institute, we created something just for survivors.
Spa for the Soul
A 90-minute online gathering for survivors across Los Angeles.
At the start, each provider shares what they are offering.
Then you choose your own adventure.
Music therapy
Art therapy
Chair yoga
Mental health support
All-faith or no-faith reflection spaces
It's a chance to breathe, and to connect and to be cared for.
Those who have joined us in previous sessions have told us the same thing.
It's a small block of time that makes a real difference. We know you're carrying a lot right now and we've created this space for you.
Please also share with survivor friends and networks.
It is free, and all are welcome.
All sessions are 7–8:30pm PT
March 31:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/F8PGBzWJRvOO5IxfSK-vdQ
April 29:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/O_5l9cFURiqr2f4qyPVP2w
May 21:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/-85whAiHQMaWGnuoLZtv7w
Edison Profits Nearly Triple. Executive Pay Soars. Survivors Going Homeless.
Breaking news from Melody Petersen in today's Los Angeles Times:
Edison's 2025 profits nearly tripled to $4.5 billion, driven by rate hikes approved by state leaders and paid by all of us.
CEO Pedro Pizarro's compensation soared to $16.6 million, up 20%.
The median Edison employee earns $220,000.
That's 2.4x the median California household income of $91,000.
Meantime, Eaton Fire survivors are still not home, increasingly housing-unstable and facing homelessness.
With profits like these, Edison can advance our full coalition urgent housing relief proposal of up to $200k for displaced Eaton Fire survivors and still have billions remaining.
And after all, Edison will be fully reimbursed.
Now we need state leaders to protect survivors by requiring Edison to.
Advance urgent housing relief.
Provide full compensation for our losses.
So that families can keep a roof overhead and move forward with recovery.
If you are not yet one of the more than 1,000 people and 250 non-profit organizations calling for urgent housing relief for Eaton Fire survivors, here's your chance.
Add your name:
edisonrelief.org
Help Shape a Free Recovery Tool — and Receive a $10 Gift Card
Dr. Adrienne Heinz, who has supported survivors of some of the most devastating wildfires of the past decade, is asking for your input.
The After Collective is building a free digital disaster recovery coach for wildfire survivors, grounded in psychological science and developed in partnership with Stanford University.
They are inviting teens and adults impacted by the 2025 LA fires to help shape this tool.
What's involved:
A short 15–20 minute questionnaire
A $10 gift card to Starbucks or Amazon as a thank you
This is a chance to help create something that could support not only our community, but future disaster survivors as well.
Take the survey here:
https://www.chatterforms.com/forms/form_1767820231693_xzqh9zrxi
Thank you for being here and for continuing to show up for one another.
You are not alone.
With gratitude,
Reina Pomeroy
on behalf of Joy and the EFSN team
Support EFSN's ongoing work on behalf of LA Fire survivors. Click here to donate.
The Eaton Fire Survivors Network (EFSN) is the nation's largest survivor recovery hub, connecting more than 10,000 Eaton, Palisades, and Malibu fire survivors and allies. Through survivor leadership and coordination, we work to remove barriers and unlock resources so that recovery is accessible to everyone. Learn more: efsurvivors.net.
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