A Win for Asm. Isaac Bryan: Gov. Newsom Signs Bill Increasing Incarcerated Firefighters Pay

California Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D_Ladera Heights) scored a major legislative win on Oct. 13 when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 247, a measure guaranteeing higher pay for incarcerated firefighters who risk their lives on the front lines of the state’s wildfires.

The new law raises wages for inmates serving as firefighters from as little as $5 a day to at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, marking a historic shift that advocates say recognizes the dignity of their work and the dangers they face. The law also requires that wages be reviewed annually to ensure fairness over time.

For years, California has relied on incarcerated crews to help battle its worsening wi

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