SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A bill to help wildfire victims get full restitution has cleared a key legislative hurdle in Sacramento.
AB 2700 originally sought to cut electricity rates and address restitution shortfalls for utility-caused disasters that occurred prior to 2019.
The Appropriations Committee advanced the bill but removed provisions requiring the state Public Utilities Commission to develop recommendations to reduce electricity rates by at least 30 percent.
The legislation now focuses on requiring strategies to address restitution shortfalls for victims of utility-caused wildfires.
Assemblymember James Gallagher, who authored the bill, said PG&E must be held accountable for its damages and payments to victims who are still struggling to recover from devastating utility-caused fires.
“While I’m disappointed the committee stripped the portion of the bill aimed at reducing electricity rates, this is still a major step forward for wildfire survivors who have spent years fighting to be fully compensated,” Gallagher said.
Gallagher thanked the thousands of survivors and advocates who showed up, spoke out, sent letters, made calls and made their voices heard throughout the process.
He emphasized that advancing the bill out of Appropriations remains a significant achievement, as many bills never make it through the committee process.
AB 2700 now advances to the Assembly Floor for a vote.