Committee advances amended wildfire-claims bill after fixing damage language; KCC to convene workshop

The Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications approved House Bill 2107, as amended, during final action after members addressed drafting errors that would have broadened the statute beyond property damage and clarified how courts calculate damages from unplanned wildfire events.

The bill would establish a statute of limitations for wildfire-related claims and authorize recovery for certain damages; committee members agreed to retain language specifying recovery is for “damage to property” and to remove a novel formula in the bill that would have replaced existing law on how property damages are calculated.

Committee Chair (Committee Chair) opened discussion by asking for input on concerns raised in emails and by stakeholders. Committee member Mr. Carmichael, who led technical drafting discussions, described the principal issue as an unintended drafting change that removed the words “to property” from a section describing…