EXECUTIVE ORDER B-25-14
WHEREAS on August 2, 2014, I proclaimed a state of emergency to exist in Amador, Butte, El Dorado, Humboldt, Lassen, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Modoc, Shasta, and Siskiyou Counties as a result of wildfires; and
WHEREAS the wildfires burned thousands of acres of land, destroyed structures, including homes, damaged critical infrastructure, and forced the closure of major highways and local roads; and
WHEREAS residents and business owners are unable to access their homes and operate their businesses as a result of the damage caused by the wildfires; and
WHEREAS the damage from the wildfires will continue to impact the business communities in Central and Northern California, and will impact jobs and cause short-term unemployment; and
WHEREAS the people who lost or sustained damage to their homes, property, businesses, or places of employment, may need to obtain or replace important government records in order to obtain assistance from federal, state, and local governmental agencies, make claims for and collect insurance, find new employment, and for other purposes related to losses suffered as a result of the wildfires; and
WHEREAS under the provisions of section 8571 of the Government Code, I find that strict compliance with the various statutes and regulations specified in this order would prevent, hinder, or delay the mitigation of the effects of the wildfires.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDMUND G. BROWN JR. Governor of the State of California, in accordance with the authority vested in me by the Constitution and statutes of the State of California, and in particular, sections 8567 and 8571 of the California Government Code, do hereby issue the following orders to become effective immediately:
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. Health and Safety Code sections 103525.5 and 103625, and Penal Code section 14251, requiring the imposition of fees, are hereby suspended with regard to any request for copies of certificates of birth, death, marriage, and dissolution of marriage records, by any individual who lost such records as a result of the wildfires. Such copies shall be provided without charge.
2. Vehicle Code sections 9265(a), 9867, 14901, 14902 and 15255.2, requiring the imposition of fees, are suspended with regard to any request for replacement of a driver’s license, identification card, vehicle registration certificate, or certificate of title, by any individual who lost such records as a result of the wildfires. Such records shall be replaced without charge.
3. The provisions of Vehicle Code sections 4602 and 5902, requiring the timely registration or transfer of title, are suspended with regard to any registration or transfer of title by any resident of Amador, Butte, El Dorado, Humboldt, Lassen, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Modoc, Shasta, and Siskiyou Counties who are unable to comply with those requirements as a result of the wildfires. The time covered by this suspension shall not be included in calculating any late penalty pursuant to Vehicle Code section 9554.
4. The provisions of Unemployment Insurance Code section 1253 imposing a one-week waiting period for unemployment insurance applicants are waived as to all applicants who are unemployed as a direct result of the wildfires, who apply for unemployment insurance benefits during the time period beginning August 2, 2014 and ending on the close of business on February 2, 2015, and who are otherwise eligible for unemployment insurance benefits in California.
I FURTHER REQUEST that the Franchise Tax Board and the Board of Equalization consider using their administrative powers where appropriate to provide individuals or businesses impacted by the wildfires with administrative relief.
This Order is not intended to, and does not, create any rights or benefits, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, against the State of California, its agencies, departments, entities, officers, employees, or any other person.
I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this Order be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given to this Order.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 11th day of September 2014.
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EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor of California
ATTEST:
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DEBRA BOWEN
Secretary of State