More than 20 state lawmakers gathered with House Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) on Thursday to express their commitment to fire-ravaged Los Angeles areas and announce a sweeping legislative package to aid recovery Work.

Rivas said the Palisades and Eaton fires were "catastrophes of unprecedented proportions in California history: thousands of homes and businesses were burned, more than 100,000 people were displaced, and too many precious lives were lost."

Rivas is located just outside the Rose Bowl - a quintessential local landmark Busy fire incident command post — As he spoke, dozens of fire trucks from across the state could be seen in the parking lot behind him.

The legislative leader promised that he and other lawmakers would move quickly to approve billions of dollars in funding to begin efforts to remove toxic debris and repair and rebuild schools. Lawmakers also spoke about a wide range of legislative efforts, some of which have already been introduced in the state House and others that will be formally introduced in the coming days.

Rivas said the legislative effort "will be focused on housing" because housing "is the number one issue we hear from Angelenos right now: how to find housing, how to live in housing, how to rebuild housing."

Rivas announced six housing-focused bills he has co-authored with Los Angeles-area lawmakers that will be formally introduced next week, according to his office.

The list includes legislation to speed up the redevelopment permitting process and increase local housing supply, as well as efforts to protect displaced residents, such as a bill co-authored by Assemblywoman Tina McKinna (D-Hawthorne) that would prohibit building housing in existing Eviction of tenants in case of relocation. Wildfire victims or their pets.

The wide-ranging press conference also mentioned some of the legislative efforts that have been introduced, including a bill introduced by Assemblymember Jessica Caroosa (D-Los Angeles) that would create a grant program to provide funding for every Provides direct financial assistance of up to $1,500. Caring for essential items for affected families.

Rep. Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) also introduced bills to increase the wages of inmate firefighters while they are “actively fighting fires” and freeze residential rental prices in Los Angeles County.

Other efforts include a bill co-authored by Assemblymen John Halabedian (D-Pasadena) and Jacqui Owen (D-Thousand Oaks) that would allow anyone who lost their home in a fire to receive Mortgage deferment for up to one year. Halabedian’s district includes areas hardest hit by the Eaton Fire, while Owen represents residents devastated by the Palisades Fire.

"For those who have lived in Altadena or Pasadena for a long time, the Eaton Fire was the worst disaster we could imagine. We knew we lived in a fire-prone area, but I don't think we could have imagined that we The level of devastation we’re seeing in the San Gabriel Mountains,” Halabedian said Thursday morning, pledging that he and his fellow lawmakers would support residents on the long road ahead.

Before leaving the podium, Halabedian recalled an old woman's story that he said would be familiar to anyone who grew up on the edge of the San Gabriel Mountains.

There is a row of trees on the top of Mount Wilson, and parents have long told their children that the looming trees are "cavalry over the mountains," say Sierra Madre locals.

"I'm telling you, the cavalry is here," Halabedian said. "The cavalry is behind me, coming in pursuit."