California Legislature
Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, right, talks with Assemblymember Steve Bennett during an Assembly session at the Capitol, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif.
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The California Assembly has opted not to vote on legislation meant to help wildfire victims. Lawmakers decided at the last minute Tuesday to push back a decision on the issue. Gov. Gavin Newsom had unsuccessfully urged them to back a more ambitious plan to reduce electric companies’ liability if their equipment sparks a blaze. The question of who should cover the cost of utility-sparked fires has persisted throughout his time in office. Newsom faced pushback from fire victim advocates and home insurers over the plan. Victims say it failed to hold electric companies accountable. Insurance companies said it would have forced them to raise rates for policyholders by shifting the cost of fire damage onto them.
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