SACRAMENTO — As lawmakers reconvened Thursday in response to the devastating damage across Los Angeles, House Speaker Robert Rivas vowed to support legislation to help homeowners file insurance claims faster, while Senate Majority Leader Mike Maguire tearfully gave a floor speech about California’s “hell week”.

“Words cannot describe the absolute shock, horror and sadness surrounding the devastation we are witnessing every day,” said McGuire (D-Healdsburg). “Los Angeles County residents need to hear us loud and clear. We support you. But first and foremost, we must put out this damn fire.”

The state’s troubled insurance market could be the focus of lawmakers’ attention this year as Los Angeles recovers from one of the nation’s costliest natural disasters, with fires destroying at least 9,000 buildings. be.

But the state Senate committee that oversees insurance currently has no chairperson. Mr. McGuire opened the account. run for state insurance commissioner The following year he did not take up the post. announced Those who have moved into other leadership positions in the last week. Last year, the insurance committee was chaired by Democratic state Sen. Susan Rubio, who is being questioned by authorities in a major corruption investigation at Baldwin Park.

A spokesperson for Mr. McGuire said he is “awaiting additional information from the U.S. attorney’s office before making a final decision” on who will lead the insurance commission.

Attendance at Thursday’s floor session was sparse as many of the lawmakers representing Los Angeles County were at home with their families, patrolling shelters and making other services available to constituents.

“The wind is howling. It feels like Armageddon,” Rep. Jackie Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) said in a phone interview Wednesday night.

Irwin said she wants to be there with voters and families. “You don’t get as much news when you’re in Sacramento.”

Rep. Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), who remained in Los Angeles this week, said priorities need to change this year.

“We certainly need to pivot because we need to respond to fire needs,” he said. “We will continue to make affordability and housing our top priorities, as well as wildfire recovery.”

Assembly Speaker Rivas (D-Hollister), a former volunteer firefighter before being elected in a rural agricultural district, told reporters he plans to push for legislation to speed up homeowner insurance claims. . He would not say whether the Legislature would convene a special session to address the effects of the wildfires, calling it “the governor’s call.”

Rivas then announced that two legislators have introduced legislation aimed at ensuring the financial stability of the FAIR Plan, the last insurance company that covers many Southern California families and businesses.