SB 1553 Oregon Senate · 2026 Regular Session

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

Summary
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 to whom 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. [ 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. ] Establishes the Wildfire Recovery Fund , to become operative January 1, 2027 . 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.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Last action Mar 7, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced A-Engrossed · 4 edits
MODERATE
This bill was amended to add Senator Manning Jr. as a sponsor, update the summary section to reflect changes made during Senate consideration, and modify the Wildfire Recovery Fund provisions to specify it becomes operative on January 1, 2027. The amendment also clarifies that the Supreme Court jurisdiction provision is included in the bill.
Scope change
The bill's substantive scope remains largely the same, but the Wildfire Recovery Fund's effective date was explicitly set to January 1, 2027, and the Supreme Court jurisdiction provision was formally included in the text.
ELIGIBILITY

Senator Manning Jr. was added as a co-sponsor of the bill.

TIMELINE

The Wildfire Recovery Fund was explicitly set to become operative on January 1, 2027.

ENFORCEMENT

The provision granting the Supreme Court jurisdiction over appeals in wildfire-related civil actions was formally included in the bill text.

TECHNICAL

The summary section was updated to reflect that the digest is written in compliance with readability standards without the phrase 'as introduced'.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
2
Committee
4
Mar 7, 2026
Upper · Passed
In committee upon adjournment.
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Committee
Referred to Rules by order of the President.
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be referred to Rules. (Printed A-Eng.)
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
Referred to Judiciary.
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.
upper
3 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors