Two state legislators have announced plans to secure tougher penalties and additional measures to protect local communities from warehouse fires in response to the blaze at a Boyle Heights cold storage facility.
Assemblyman Mark González, D-Los Angeles, seeks to prevent Los Angeles and Los Angeles County from issuing new building permits for cold storage facilities unless they maintain a contingency fund that can be used in states of emergency.
Money would be used for food and housing assistance, air quality monitoring, environmental cleanup, and remediation of any hazardous materials.
González is also proposing that any settlement money residents receive remain tax-free and to require local governments to take quicker action on eliminating rats and flies when a state of emergency is declared.
“This legislation aims to heal a wound — one that will take time to repair,” González said in a statement released in connection with a news conference Wednesday at Dolores Mission Church in Boyle Heights.
“Because this was not just an attack on our health, but we can ensure that we plan for it and prepare financially to support our community.”
State Sen. María Elena Durazo, D-Los Angeles, proposed allowing cities and counties to levy higher fines for public health violations at cold storage facilities. Violators would face a $1,000 fine for a first violation, a $2,000 fine for a second violation and $5,000 for each additional violation.
If the violation results from a state or federal disaster declaration, these fines can be multiplied up to $50,000 per violation, Durazo said in a statement.
Because the deadline to introduce bills for this legislative session has passed, González and Durazo both said they would add their proposals to other bills.
The fire broke out June 17 at the Lineage Logistics warehouse at 1400 S. Los Palos St., and burned for eight days, sending thick smoke into the air and prompting officials to warn nearby residents to remain indoors. The city, county and state issued local emergency declarations.
There was no immediate response to an email sent to Lineage Logistics seeking comment.