2025 Regular SessionOregon Legislature

SB926: Relating to wildfires resulting from the fault of an electric company.

Legislative Summary

Bans the recoupment of certain costs that a power company incurs from claims based on a wildfire. (Flesch Readability Score: 65.1). Prohibits the recovery from customers of certain costs and expenses that an electric company incurs [as a result of allegations of a wildfire resulting] if a court or jury finds that a wildfire resulted from the negligence or a higher degree of fault on the part of the electric company. Prohibits an electric company from paying or distributing dividends, income, interest or profits or paying, distributing or repurchasing stock or other ownership interest to any person or individual with an ownership or beneficial interest in the electric company if the electric company owes any debt on an outstanding judgment that is based on a finding by a court or jury that a wildfire resulted from the negligence or a higher degree of fault on the part of the electric company. Sets the rate of interest on the judgment at nine percent per annum to accrue from the date the wildfire was ignited if a plaintiff establishes that a wildfire resulted from the negligence or a higher degree of fault on the part of the electric company. Provides that an electric company is liable for all taxes that may be owed by a prevailing party on a judgment that the electric company has not satisfied by January 1, 2026, for a judgment that is based on a finding by a court or jury that a wildfire resulted from the negligence or a higher degree of fault on the part of the electric company.

Demographic Impact

Overall analysis of equity impact

70% Positive
Medium ConfidenceView detailed demographic breakdown ↓

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Bill History

1/21/2025
Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.
Senate
1/21/2025
Referred to Judiciary.
Senate
3/5/2025
Public Hearing held.
Senate
4/7/2025
Work Session held.
Senate
4/8/2025
Work Session held.
Senate
4/18/2025
Recommendation: Do pass with amendments. (Printed A-Eng.)
Senate
4/21/2025
Second reading.
Senate
4/22/2025
Carried over to 04-23 by unanimous consent.
Senate
4/23/2025
Third reading. Carried by Smith DB, Prozanski. Passed. Ayes, 22; Nays, 6--Bonham, Lieber, McLane, Robinson, Sollman, Taylor; Excused, 1--Gorsek.
Senate
4/23/2025
Girod, Thatcher declared potential conflict of interest.
Senate
4/23/2025
Vote explanation(s) filed by Lieber, Sollman.
Senate
4/24/2025
First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
House of Representatives
4/24/2025
Referred to Judiciary.
House of Representatives

Amendments

Senate Committee On Judiciary Amendment #-2

Senate Committee On Judiciary (2025-04-08)

4/8/2025Not Adopted

Senate Committee On Judiciary Amendment #-3

Senate Committee On Judiciary (2025-04-08)

4/8/2025Not Adopted

Senate Committee On Judiciary Amendment #-2

Senate Committee On Judiciary (2025-04-07)

4/7/2025Not Adopted

Roll Call Votes

Senate Third Reading
4/23/2025
22
Yea
6
Nay
0
Not Voting
1
Absent
Result: PASSED
Senate Committee Do pass with amendments. (Printed A-Eng.)
4/8/2025
4
Yea
2
Nay
0
Not Voting
0
Absent
Result: PASSED

Status Information

Current Status
Engrossed(4/24/2025)
Chamber
House of Representatives
Committee
Judiciary(House of Representatives)

Documents

Introduced
Bill Text1/1/197028.2 KB
Introduced
Bill Text1/1/197024.5 KB
Engrossed
Bill Text1/1/197029.7 KB
Analysis
Analysis1/1/1970316.7 KB
Analysis
Analysis1/1/1970318.2 KB
Analysis
Analysis1/1/1970140.8 KB
Fiscal Note/Analysis
Fiscal Note/Analysis1/1/1970582.0 KB
Fiscal Note/Analysis
Fiscal Note/Analysis1/1/1970615.7 KB
Fiscal Note/Analysis
Fiscal Note/Analysis1/1/1970580.0 KB
Fiscal Note/Analysis
Fiscal Note/Analysis1/1/1970615.4 KB
Analysis
Analysis4/8/2025178.2 KB
Analysis
Analysis4/8/202573.6 KB
Analysis
Analysis4/8/2025111.9 KB
Analysis
Analysis4/7/202573.4 KB
Analysis
Analysis4/7/2025156.8 KB
Analysis
Analysis4/7/2025111.8 KB
Analysis
Analysis4/7/2025154.0 KB
Analysis
Analysis3/26/2025153.8 KB
Analysis
Analysis3/5/2025166.5 KB
Analysis
Analysis3/5/202541.8 KB