House Rules panel adopts amendment to HB 3984 to address utility wildfire liability, orders PUC study

SALEM — The House Committee on Rules adopted the dash-10 amendment to House Bill 3984 on June 27, 2025, a measure that would make an electric company liable for federal income tax liabilities imposed on amounts received by wildfire plaintiffs for fires allegedly ignited between Jan. 1, 2020, and Jan. 1, 2025, and that authorizes the Public Utility Commission to set wildfire-safety standards and seek certification from electric companies.

The amendment also creates an exemption in the Oregon tax code, establishes legislative findings and intent on wildfire safety, requires the PUC to have a third-party expert conduct a study of catastrophic-wildfire risk and recovery and to report to the Legislative Assembly by Sept. 15, 2026, and declares an emergency so portions would be effective upon passage.

The bill sponsor, Representative Kropf, said the measure has three primary parts: establishing safety standards for utilities, giving the PUC tools to audit and enforce those…