Spencer Pratt, a former Republican mayoral candidate in Los Angeles, has expressed appreciation for Democratic Senator Adam Schiff's role in advancing bipartisan disaster relief legislation aimed at assisting wildfire victims. In a statement, Pratt acknowledged the efforts of both Schiff and Republican Senator Rick Scott, stating, "Major props to [Sen. Adam Schiff] and [Sen. Rick Scott] for working across the aisle to get this done." He emphasized the significance of financial relief in the aftermath of disasters.
The legislation, known as the Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act, was passed by the Senate on August 7 and is awaiting approval from President Donald Trump. The bill aims to modify the criteria for claiming disaster relief tax breaks, removing the requirement that property damage must exceed 10% of an individual's adjusted gross income. This change would apply to individuals affected by disasters between December 28, 2019, and July 4, 2025, including the California wildfires that destroyed Pratt's home.
Scott highlighted the challenges faced by California residents following the wildfires and praised Pratt for his contributions to the legislative process. The bill also stipulates that all wildfire relief payments will be considered untaxable income. According to estimates from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, the 2025 California wildfires resulted in significant damage, affecting nearly 13,000 housing units and causing losses between $28 billion and $53.8 billion.
The Congressional Budget Office projects that the legislation will lead to a loss of $408 million in federal revenue from 2026 to 2036. Other conservative figures in California have also recognized Schiff's efforts in passing the legislation, with Republican farmer James Johansson thanking the senators for their support. The bill is named after the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa, who served for 13 years and was known for his advocacy for agricultural interests before his passing in January due to health complications.