When Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) was re-elected to a district that included the Santa Monica Mountains, she and her husband, Jon, embraced the opportunity by hiking the Backbone Trail. “It is really stunning,� Irwin said. “There are times you can see the ocean, the valley, Agoura, the deep oak canyons and evidence from the Woolsey fire. It reminds you of how wild and vulnerable to fires they are but then see the resilience in the dark oak bark and green leaves sprouting. “It’s a hard hike that starts at the ocean to Santo peak, the highest point in the mountains, then to Sycamore Canyon. It’s about 18 miles and definitely a challenge; but I enjoy a challenge.� Governing a New District Irwin is now in her fifth term as an Assemblymember. After the 2020 redistricting, Irwin’s 42nd Assembly District now includes portions of both Ventura and Los Angeles counties, including all of Agoura Hills, Bel Air, Beverly Glen, Brentwood, Casa Conejo, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Lake Sherwood, Malibu, Moorpark, Oak Park, Pacific Palisades, Santa Susana, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Topanga, Westlake Village, and portions of Camarillo. “We are definitely excited to represent this new area,� Irwin said. “I represented Ventura County to Oxnard; we added Simi Valley and the Santa Monica Mountains to the 405, and the ridge of Bel Air. It’s a great area, really a jewel of Los Angeles to have such a wild area next to one of our metropolises. The 42nd Assembly District also includes California Lutheran University, Cal State University Channel Islands, Mount Saint Mary’s University L. A., and Pepperdine University. What Does the Assemblymember Do? In the California Legislature, Irwin is currently the Chair of the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee and sits on the following committees: Agriculture, Business and Professions, Higher Education and Privacy, and Consumer Protection. In her third term in the Assembly, Irwin focused heavily on gun violence prevention legislation in response to the Borderline Shooting in Thousand Oaks, CA. She strengthened legislation of Gun Violence Restraining Orders to extend up to five years. She also required law enforcement agencies to have policies about using Gun Violence Restraining Orders. Irwin also secured $3 million to support local law enforcement efforts to recover firearms from individuals listed in the Armed and Prohibited Possessors System. Regarding fire insurance, Irwin responded to homeowners’ associations (HOA’s) and residents of condominium developments in wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas who have difficulty obtaining insurance coverage due to the high risk of fire in their area. To that end, Irwin authored a letter, signed by 26 of her Assembly colleagues, urging the Insurance Commissioner to increase coverage limits and allow for access to the CA FAIR Plan coverage per structure rather than the entire development. Deer Creek Acquisition Assemblymember Irwin also became aware of a rare opportunity that allowed for the purchase of the largest privately-owned parcel of property in the Santa Monica Mountains. The Deer Creek property consists of nearly 1,250 acres of open space and includes 2.2 miles of pristine coastline. Last year’s record budget surplus allowed for her to make a $10 million-dollar state budget request toward the purchase of this property. The budget allocation was approved and the property was purchased and will be added to the thousands of acres of permanently protected open space in the Santa Monica Mountains. Collaboration with First Responders Regarding public and fire safety, Irwin has established a cooperative relationship with both LACoFD Assistant Chief Drew Smith and L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Malibu/Lost Hills Station Captain Jennifer Seetoo. “This is going to be a completely different area,� Irwin said. “We are known as having extremely good public services and outreach; we have an open-door policy and great staff. I’m looking forward to meeting folks in person, and meeting with the community in Topanga. Irwin also toured Topanga with Chief Smith and Captain Seetoo to learn first-hand the challenges of fire and public safety in the Canyon and the Santa Monica Mountains. “For me, it’s just learning about the community,� Irwin said. “Yet, I need to hear back from the residents in ten cities and ask that folks reach out to me to be informed on certain issues.� For more Info; https://a42.asmdc.org; or contact the District Office at (805) 370-0542.