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HB3984 • 2025

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 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.

Taxes
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Representative Marsh, Representative Tran
Last action
2025-06-27
Official status
Senate Presidents Desk - Awaiting Referral
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The plain English breakdown is still being put together. The official documents below are already here.

Bill History

  1. 2025-06-27 House

    Work Session held.

  2. 2025-06-27 House

    Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed A-Engrossed.

  3. 2025-06-27 House

    Second reading.

  4. 2025-06-27 House

    Rules suspended. Made a Special Order of Business immediately.

  5. 2025-06-27 House

    Potential conflict(s) of interest declared by Gomberg.

  6. 2025-06-27 House

    Rules suspended. Third reading as Special Order of Business. Carried by Marsh, Kropf. Passed. Ayes, 34; Nays, 17--Andersen, Boshart Davis, Breese-Iverson, Chaichi, Edwards, Elmer, Gamba, Grayber, Helfrich, Levy B, Levy E, Munoz, Nelson, Ruiz, Scharf, Sosa, Walters; Excused, 8--Cate, Harbick, McIntire, Nguyen H, Reschke, Wallan, Wright, Yunker; Excused for Business of the House, 1--Mannix.

  7. 2025-06-27 Senate

    First reading. Referred to President's desk.

  8. 2025-06-25 House

    Work Session cancelled.

  9. 2025-06-23 House

    Public Hearing held.

  10. 2025-06-12 House

    First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.

  11. 2025-06-12 House

    Referred to Rules.

Official Summary Text

<b>Digest: Makes a power company liable for any federal income taxes that a party owes or pays on amounts that the party gets in the civil action. Tells the PUC to study issues related to big wildfires. States findings and intent. (Flesch Readability Score: 60.0).</b>
[<i>Digest: Makes the PUC do a study on wildfires and submit a report. (Flesch Readability Score: 81.8).</i>]
[<i>Requires the Public Utility Commission to study wildfires. Directs the commission to submit findings to the interim committees of the Legislative Assembly related to energy no later than September 15, 2026.</i>]
[<i>Sunsets on January 2, 2027.</i>]
<b>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. Allows a plaintiff or class member to seek a supplemental judgment to recover from the electric company for the federal income tax liability.
<b>Requires an electric company to apply for a wildfire safety certification. Directs the Public Utility 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.
<b>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.
<b>Declares an emergency, effective on passage.</b>
Relating to: Relating to wildfires; declaring an emergency.
Current location: Senate Presidents Desk - Awaiting Referral