Sacramento, CA – California is facing unprecedented, destructive wildfires – 14 of the largest 20 wildfires in California history have occurred just in the last decade. Some of these horribly destructive wildfires have been set by arsonists.

Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire’s bipartisan legislation on aggravated arson, SB 281 – will throw the book at individuals who are convicted of aggravated arson. The bill overwhelmingly passed the Senate Public Safety Committee on Tuesday with a bipartisan vote. This is an issue that Senator McGuire has championed for years.

“An aggravated arson charge is reserved for the worst of the worst – the most heinous acts advanced by individuals who exhibit specific intent to inflict damage and destruction in our communities or who are a continuing threat to society. We need to ensure this groundbreaking public safety law remains in place and we’ll be fighting to get this bill passed working alongside firefighters and public safety personnel and District Attorneys from across the Golden State,” said Senator McGuire.