SB 926 Oregon Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Relating to wildfires resulting from the fault of an electric company; declaring an emergency.

Summary
Prohibits the recovery from customers of certain costs and expenses that an electric company incurs 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. ] Requires an electric company to request that the Public Utility Commission open an investigation if the electric company owes more than a certain amount of debt on an outstanding judgment or judgments that are based on a wildfire that resulted from the negligence or a higher degree of fault on the part of the electric company and the electric company plans to make a payment, distribution or repurchase related to dividends, income, interest, profits, stock or other ownership interest. Directs the commission to suspend the payment, distribution or repurchase during the investigation and allows the commission to issue a final order that imposes restrictions, requirements or conditions. Allows a plaintiff to file motions in a civil action based on a wildfire caused by an electric company to require the electric company to file a security or bond if the electric company has been found to be liable to other plaintiffs for damages, losses or other harms resulting from the same wildfire, to have prejudgment interest accrue from the date the wildfire caused damages, losses or other harm and for a supplemental judgment for any additional tax liabilities that the plaintiff may owe on the underlying final judgment. Requires an electric company to apply for a wildfire safety certification. Directs the commission to issue a certification if the applicant is implementing a wildfire protection plan and meets certain requirements. Provides that a certification establishes that the applicant has implemented wildfire policies and practices consistent with wildfire safety standards. Provides that a certification does not establish immunity against claims for damages resulting from a wildfire. Directs the commission to commission a study to examine issues related to catastrophic wildfire risk and recovery and develop scenarios for a balanced solution. Directs the commission to provide an interim report on the study's findings and recommendations to the committees of the Legislative Assembly related to energy and environment during the 2026 regular session and provide recommendations for a stakeholder process to follow the final study report. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Last action Jun 28, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

A-Engrossed B-Engrossed · 7 edits · Apr 23, 2025
MODERATE
This bill was amended from Senate to House version, adding new requirements for electric companies while removing some provisions. The House version adds rules requiring companies to request investigations before making payments when they owe wildfire judgment debts, allows plaintiffs to request security bonds, requires wildfire safety certifications, and directs a study on wildfire risk. Some original provisions about interest rates and tax liabilities were removed or modified.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include new requirements for electric companies regarding payments, certifications, and studies, while some original provisions about interest rates and tax liabilities were removed.
REQUIREMENT

Electric companies must request Public Utility Commission investigations before making payments, distributions, or repurchases when they owe wildfire judgment debts.

Plaintiffs can now file motions requiring electric companies to post security bonds if the company has been found liable to other plaintiffs for the same wildfire.

Electric companies must apply for wildfire safety certifications, and the commission must issue certifications for companies implementing wildfire protection plans.

The commission must conduct a study on catastrophic wildfire risk and recovery, providing interim reports to the legislature.

Provisions requiring electric companies to pay dividends or distribute profits when they owe wildfire judgment debts were removed.

Provisions setting interest rates at nine percent per annum on wildfire judgments were removed.

Provisions making electric companies liable for taxes owed by prevailing parties on unsatisfied judgments were removed.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 23, 2025

How they voted

226
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 29
Apr 23, 2025
D Democratic17
13 Yea 3 Nay 1
76% Yea
R Republican12
9 Yea 3 Nay
75% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
22
Key actions
4
Committee
6
Jun 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
In committee upon adjournment.
lower
May 29, 2025
Committee
Referred to Ways and Means by order of Speaker.
lower
May 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recommendation: Do pass with amendments, be printed B-Engrossed, and be referred to Ways and Means.
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary.
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Introduced
First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Introduced
Vote explanation(s) filed by Lieber, Sollman.
upper
Apr 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third reading. Carried by Smith DB, Prozanski. Passed.
upper
Apr 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Recommendation: Do pass with amendments. (Printed A-Eng.)
upper
Jan 21, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary.
upper
Jan 21, 2025
Introduced
Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.
upper
4 primary · 7 co-sponsors

Sponsors