Newsom signs tribal mutual aid bill

Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, announced that Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation that will allow the state to enter mutual aid agreements with tribes, improving tribal access to federal funding and reimbursements when they assist with emergencies such as wildfires.

“Tribes are an important partner in responding to a plethora of emergencies, including an increasing number of wildfires,” Sen. Dodd said. “They deserve to be covered for their expenses, which encourages more mutual aid cooperation. I thank Gov. Newsom for taking this important step toward to bolster our joint emergency response.”

“The Pala Band of Mission Indians is proud to have sponsored SB 816, a critically needed bill to streamline and make more robust the state of California’s emergency response system,” Robert Smith, the tribe’s chair said. “Tribes in this state play a vital role in emergency response, helping to ensure fire protection, rescue and paramedic services to all California citizens. We thank Sen. Dodd, the state Legislature, Gov. Newsom and those who supported this landmark legislation.”

For many years, California Indian tribes have responded to emergencies on trial lands and beyond, but because they are not part of the state’s Master Mutual Aid Agreement, they have not received reimbursement for their costs outside their jurisdiction.

Senate Bill 816 changes that, adding federally recognized tribes to the agreement. Now, tribes will be eligible for federal money for providing mutual aid on wildfires and other emergencies.