Oregon Lawmakers Amend Wildfire Liability Bill, Clarifying Utility Responsibilities

Oregon lawmakers have amended House Bill 3666 to ensure that utilities do not gain immunity from liability in lawsuits for wildfires ignited by their power lines. The change addresses concerns that wildfire safety certificates could effectively shield utilities from being held accountable for catastrophic fires. Critics, including the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, remain wary that courts may still weigh these certificates in determining liability and doubt the bill empowers the Public Utility Commission to enforce adequate wildfire prevention measures. The bill's author, Rep. Pam Marsh, introduced this amendment in response to fears raised after past incidents, such as the 2020 Labor Day fires, which resulted in significant damages and legal repercussions for PacificCorp. The amendment clarifies that the certification does not imply that utilities have acted reasonably if found responsible for starting wildfires. This move aims to balance fire mitigation efforts while maintaining accountability for utility companies.