FIGHTING FIRE PROTECTION FEE; LAWMAKERS INTRODUCE LEGISLATION

CALIFORNIA -- A California lawmaker says 800,000 property owners are being charged an unfair fire prevention fee.
 
Assemblymember Mike Morrell has introduced a bill to get rid of that $150-per year cost to some homeowners living in what's called "State Responsibility Areas" -- or S.R.A. These are rural areas that rely on CalFire for fire prevention and protection.
 
"[People] are incensed by it, because that's one of the reasons they pay taxes now. So, take a look at it -- they are paying state taxes, federal taxes, they're paying fire insurance business license taxes," says Morrell.
 
He says these S.R.A. fee is unnecessary.
 
"Between DMV fees, gasoline taxes, even our dogs having to get a dog license -- which is a tax or a fee -- [the SRA fee] is really offensive to them because they're already paying taxes to be covered for fire."
 
As of now, homeowners unable to afford the fee can ask the state to waive it or lower the payments.