Assemblymember Christy Smith, D-Santa Clarita, introduced Assembly Bill 2379 Tuesday, which qualifies disaster preparedness items for tax-free purchase, officials said.

The bill would exempt the sale, storage, use or consumption of emergency preparedness items from taxes across the state of California, according to Smith’s office.

“It’s devastating to witness one wildfire after another endanger lives, ruin family homes and threaten all we hold dear,” Smith said. “How we prepare for disasters, which we are unfortunately no stranger to in the 38th Assembly District, is of critical importance. I’m proud this bill not only makes necessary, life-saving items more accessible to the public, but also creates awareness around what items should be included in a disaster go-bag.”

Items incorporated in the list of tax exemptions include:

Portable generators;
Reusable ice products;
Self-powered light sources;
Gasoline containers;
Batteries;
Coolers;
Tarpaulins;
Mobile phone chargers;
Self-powered radios;
First-aid kits;
Fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors or smoke detectors; and
Self-contained first aid kits.

“There are also many other factors we must consider in our community resiliency plans — Public Safety Power Shutoffs, earthquakes and other severe weather conditions. As these issues become more prominent, the disaster preparedness items we have at our access are essential,” Smith said.

If enacted, AB 2379 would take effect Jan 1, 2021 with the tax-free holiday taking place over a three-day period in the month of June for each year until Jan. 1, 2023.

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