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News in English (USA) / 31.08.2026 / 06:00

California Lawmakers and Governor Newsom Reach Compromise on Wildfire Liability

In a recent turn of events, California Governor Gavin Newsom has faced significant resistance to his plans for managing utility wildfire costs. After weeks of pushback from lawmakers and wildfire survivors, Newsom dropped most of his proposed limitations on utility liability, leading to a last-minute compromise with state legislators. Lawmakers have rejected key provisions aimed at limiting payouts from utilities to wildfire victims. The newly struck deal seeks to reform the state wildfire recovery system without fully embracing Newsom’s initial demands. This compromise allows wildfire survivors to potentially receive compensation, although concerns persist regarding rising insurance costs and the ongoing financial responsibility of power companies for fire damages. As the state grapples with the consequences of utility-ignited wildfires, the debate over who should bear the financial burden continues to dominate discussions in Sacramento.
CalMatters, KQED, ABC7 Los Angeles, ABC10, Los Angeles Times, KCRA, Bloomberg.com, San Francisco Chronicle, New York Post, The Press Democrat