California will set first-in-the-nation standards for smoke-damage testing and cleanup after the governor on Tuesday signed a package of bills to improve wildfire recovery.

Almost two years after the deadly Los Angeles County fires, many survivors have yet to return to homes that did not burn down but may not be habitable because of smoke damage. They have complained that the delays are due in part to arguments with their insurance companies over who should pay for testing and cleanup. The state Insurance Department estimates that more than 13,000 smoke-damage claims came out of the January 2025 fires.

“These new protections will make insurer obligations clearer and give homeowners more financial flexibility when they need it most,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said as he signed the bills in Altadena at a meeting with Eaton Fire survivors. They take effect Jan. 1.

Read the full article on CalMatters.