Wildfire survivors urge lawmakers to speed accountability; utilities warn SB 9 26 could have unintended consequences

The House Judiciary Committee resumed public testimony on Senate Bill 9‑26, a measure proposing new financial consequences and rate restrictions for investor‑owned utilities found negligent in starting wildfires. Survivors of the Labor Day 2020 fires urged lawmakers to pass the bill to speed compensation and prevent companies from using delay tactics; utilities and business groups warned the measure could raise costs, reduce investment and create unintended regulatory and market consequences.

Survivors described multi‑year delays, ongoing displacement and trauma. “Pacific Power’s refusal to deenergize the line September 7 was just sheer greed,” said Dale Weese, who described losing irreplaceable family items and living for a year in a fifth wheel. Debbie Fawcett said, “Almost 5 years after Pacific Power’s fires destroyed our homes and life as we knew it, not one of us has received a dime from Pacific Power.” Taylor Hunter, who said she lost her home and…