On August 29, 2026, the California Legislature confirmed a significant victory for wildfire survivors through the amended SB 492, authored by Senator Josh Becker and Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris. The legislation prohibits harmful provisions that would limit survivors’ rights to hold utilities accountable for fire damages. Advocates from organizations like Every Fire Survivor’s Network and Consumer Watchdog praised lawmakers for prioritizing the needs of families affected by wildfires, rejecting a proposed utility bailout.
Key aspects of SB 492 include:
– No caps on economic or non-economic damages for survivors.
– Full recovery rights for smoke-damage survivors.
– Local governments and businesses can pursue losses from utilities.
– Right for insurance companies to recover costs from utilities maintained.
– Attorneys’ contingency fees for survivors are not limited.
The bill introduces a Fast Pay program to expedite compensation for survivors while preserving their ability to file lawsuits and gather evidence. Advocates emphasize that while this legislation is a win, the underlying issue of accountability for utility-caused wildfires remains unresolved. A Survivor-First Proposal outlines further solutions for preventing future disasters.
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