Senator wants state aid for San Bruno in wake of gas explosion

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Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) wants the state to help residents of San Bruno in the wake of a natural gas explosion that killed seven people and destroyed dozens of homes.

Yee’s bill, SBx6 21, would assure that San Mateo County does not suffer from the reduction in property values due to the fire that destroyed 38 homes earlier this month. The state would backfill any property tax revenues the county loses after those properties are reassessed by the county. The bill would also allow residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed in the fire to receive a $7,000 property tax exemption.

Yee says the measure is similar to other bills passed by the Legislature in the wake of natural disasters or fires. “The state has often stepped up to the plate to provide disaster relief in other communities such as those impacted by the fires in Southern California,” Yee said in a statement Wednesday. “Our community is now in need of that same assistance, and I hope that my colleagues will enthusiastically support this legislation.SBx6 21 will provide much-needed assistance that would not otherwise be covered by insurance, PG&E or other state and federal resources.”

Yee’s office did not know how much the bill would cost the state, but estimated the cost would be ‘in the millions.’ Yee spokesman Adam Keigwin said the Legislature will likely take up the bill when members return for a budget vote, sometime in the next few weeks.

-- Anthony York in Sacramento