l9n/ Oregon

2026 Regular Session

Senate Bill 1553

Prohibits an electric company from recovering from retail electricity consumers certain litigation or settlement costs or expenses 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.

Did not become law. It stopped in the Senate's Rules Committee on March 6, 2026.

What it does

The synopsis the Legislative Assembly published with the bill.

Digest: Bans the recoupment of certain costs that a power company incurs from claims based on a wildfire. (Flesch Readability Score: 65.1). Prohibits an electric company from recovering from retail electricity consumers certain litigation or settlement costs or expenses 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. Requires an electric company that has been found to be liable for damages in a civil action arising out of allegations that the conduct of the electric company caused or substantially contributed to a wildfire to establish and maintain a qualified escrow fund for the benefit of those persons <b>to whom</b> the electric company is found to be liable. Provides that an electric company that is found to be liable for damages in a civil action arising out of allegations that the conduct of the electric company caused or substantially contributed to a wildfire shall also be liable for any federal income tax liability that a plaintiff or class member owes or pays on amounts the plaintiff or class member receives in relation to the civil action. [<i>Provides jurisdiction to the Supreme Court to hear and determine all appeals from the circuit court in any civil action arising out of allegations that the conduct of the electric company caused or substantially contributed to a wildfire.</i>] Establishes the Wildfire Recovery Fund<b>, to become operative January 1, 2027</b>. Directs that 60 percent of the punitive damages awarded in a civil action arising out of allegations that the conduct of the electric company caused or substantially contributed to a wildfire be deposited in the Wildfire Recovery Fund. Reserves the first $50 million deposited in the fund to be payable to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Account. Applies to wildfires ignited on or after January 1, 2020, and before January 1, 2025. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.

Sponsors

Who carried the bill in each chamber, and who signed on. Each name leads to the member's page.

In the Senate

1 co-sponsor

James Manning Jr.

In the House of Representatives

Its course

February 2 to March 6, 2026, on one scale. In the top row each mark is a day something happened; taller marks are busier days.

Each committee stop sits inside its chamber.

Every action7 actions on 5 days

In the SenateFeb 2 to Mar 6 · stopped32 days

Waiting for a committeeFeb 2 to Feb 20 days

JudiciaryFeb 2 to Feb 1917 days

RulesFeb 19 to Mar 6 · stopped15 days

Amendments

Each amendment offered, and what became of it.

  • Senate committee amendmentAdopted

    Adopted Feb 19

Text

Each version as the Legislative Assembly printed it.

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

What happened

In l9n's words, one line for each step. Every action as the Legislative Assembly published it is below.

In the Senate Feb 2 – Mar 6

  1. Feb 2Introduced
  2. Sent to Judiciary
  3. Feb 11Heard in Judiciary
  4. Feb 16Heard in Judiciary
  5. Feb 19Judiciary recommended it as amended, and that it go to Rules
  6. Sent to Rules
  7. Mar 6Died when the session ended
All 7 actions, as published
  1. Feb 2Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.Senate
  2. Feb 2Referred to Judiciary.Senate
  3. Feb 11Public Hearing held.Senate
  4. Feb 16Work Session held.Senate
  5. Feb 19Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be referred to Rules. (Printed A-Eng.)Senate
  6. Feb 19Referred to Rules by order of the President.Senate
  7. Mar 6In committee upon adjournment.Senate