Rural Connectivity & Fire Safety Act
Harden your home, keep your insurance. Stay connected during power shutoffs. Hold utilities accountable for fire safety. This law creates a federal backup for insurers so they'll cover fire-hardened homes. It requires cell towers to work for 72 hours without power. And it stops utilities from charging you for their fire mistakes. No taxpayer bailouts — insurers pay the premiums. 10-year sunset.
🎯 What This Act Does
Protecting rural communities from insurance collapse and communication blackouts
Insure the Responsible
If you harden your home against fire, insurers MUST offer you coverage. No more being forced onto expensive state plans just because you live in a fire zone.
72-Hour Connectivity
Cell towers and phone lines must work for at least 72 hours during power shutoffs. You can still call 911 and get evacuation alerts when the power goes out.
Utility Accountability
Utilities that cause fires through negligence can't make you pay for their lawsuits and fines. They fix their mistakes, not your bills.
Fire-Hardened Home Certification
A federal standard for fire-resistant homes. Fire-safe roofs, cleared brush, and other protections. Harden your home, get certified, get insured.
🛡️ The "Insure the Responsible" Program
Harden your home, keep your insurance — guaranteed
Fire-Hardened Certification
Federal standard based on proven fire science. Fire-resistant roofs, ember-resistant vents, 100-foot defensible space. California's "Safer from Wildfires" qualifies too.
Reinsurance Backstop
Federal "Fire Safety Reinsurance Facility" backs insurers for big losses. This gives insurers confidence to return to fire-prone areas and offer policies again.
Guaranteed Coverage
If you're certified, participating insurers MUST offer you a policy. No more being dropped or denied just because of your zip code. Private market, not FAIR Plan.
⚙️ How the Insurance Program Works
A fair deal for homeowners and insurers
Homeowner Hardens Home
You invest in fire-resistant roof, clear brush, install ember-resistant vents. Get your home certified under federal or state standards.
Insurer Joins Facility
Insurance companies opt into the federal reinsurance program. They pay premiums into the facility. In return, they get backup for catastrophic losses.
You Get Coverage
To access the reinsurance, insurers MUST cover certified homes in that region. You're not forced onto expensive state plans anymore.
📶 Rural Emergency Connectivity
Stay connected when you need it most — during power shutoffs and emergencies
72-Hour Standard
All telecom providers in high fire-threat areas must keep service running for 72 hours during power outages. Batteries, generators, or solar backup.
911 Always Works
During power shutoffs, you can still call 911 and get emergency alerts. No more communication blackouts when fires threaten your community.
$100 million per year for rural telecom providers to install solar panels and battery backup at cell towers. Priority for areas with frequent power shutoffs.
Grants for satellite backhaul for 911 centers. Mesh-network alert systems that work when the main grid fails. Multiple paths to reach help.
⚡ Utility Accountability & Grid Safety
Utilities must keep you safe — and pay for their own mistakes
No Ratepayer Bailouts
If a utility starts a fire due to negligence, they can't charge you for their lawsuits, settlements, or fines. FERC enforces this for interstate transmission.
States can designate "Critical Evacuation Corridors" — the only roads out for rural communities. Utilities must prioritize burying power lines along these routes.
Streamlined permits for utilities to clear dangerous brush within 150 feet of power lines. Cut the red tape that delays fire safety work.
Utilities must insulate lines and upgrade equipment along evacuation routes. Modern grid technology that doesn't start fires.
Keeping families in their homes and communities connected
Harden your home, keep your insurance. No more being forced onto expensive state plans. No more "silent eviction" from fire-prone communities. Protect your family's investment.
Guaranteed CoverageEmergency communications that work during power shutoffs. 911 centers with satellite backup. Better coordination during evacuations. Reliable communication saves lives.
72-Hour ConnectivityKeep insurance for your rural property. Stay connected during power shutoffs to protect livestock and crops. Utilities can't pass fire costs to your bills.
Rural ProtectionRural doctors, nurses, teachers, grocers — keep communication during emergencies. Your community stays connected. Your property stays insurable. Your bills stay protected.
Community Safety