[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6182989,"mediaKeyId","5100860-90f5a61c3ea6e951ff0b58f979b07dc9","parentId",5100860,"title","Oregon House passes wildfire bill adding utility safety certification, victim tax relief and a catastrophic-risk study","audioSeconds",162,"startMs",1266790,"endMs",1429000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5100860-90f5a61c3ea6e951ff0b58f979b07dc9&start=1266&end=1429","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5100860-90f5a61c3ea6e951ff0b58f979b07dc9/thumbnail_1266790.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6182989/Oregon/Oregon-House-passes-wildfire-bill-adding-utility-safety-certification-victim-tax-relief-and-a-catastrophic-risk-study","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182989-6c874a5671540f04f22441ebea2db1f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035697&Signature=Hu-S3cW6FAtyyx3AdytsrKGLNMR5Qi0vLWKWVkWl72wcaPWMxN-0JyHm4lXHsKd2nBukdyIfHokkbs9VYu0dVk8Q~M9Hl8OW7uiHB01s3KMWJmLgVtfM1DfqGqGkKO7tgsn5VlPW45bng4uFIsBjSH5FSDCXNwgqgbLTjRg-~7vv7Fxch0Qnb2Qrc7WFgRrYf1uWNCLZCkN3NSxtFBNVPXeUQsvDLLUdTDgd9IWpKj1~uMeIJHTA24VSpw17pErzqV6P9KonBWXnHauny4pje0m-CUGBkmwIxtiZdcES9OHp7OLs8IzgUvlciKELDbWKmJDABtZPZgooIqW2O3wg0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Oregon Legislature","date","2025-06-27T00:00:00Z","article","The Oregon House passed House Bill 39 84 on third reading June 27, establishing a PUC‑administered wildfire safety certification for investor‑owned utilities, directing a third‑party study of catastrophic risk and recovery, and including tax‑related provisions for wildfire victims whose litigation spans the federal tax relief period.

Supporters said the bill sets standards to hold utilities to clearer wildfire‑mitigation expectations and funds a study to identify scenarios and recovery needs. Representative Marsh, the bill’s principal carrier, told colleagues the measure directs the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to require utilities applying for a wildfire safety certification to document implementation of their wildfire protection plans, address outstanding audit findings and, where appropriate, provide third‑party reviews of risk‑reduction work. The bill also charges the PUC with contracting a consultant to model catastrophic outage and recovery scenarios and to report interim findings to the Legislature during the 2026 session.

The measure includes a tax provision intended to protect wildfire survivors who receive compensation after prolonged litigation from suffering adverse tax outcomes tied to the timing of federal tax provisions. Representative Krup, a co‑carrier, described how the bill aims to preserve federal disaster tax relief benefits for victims who are paid later as a result of litigation and to provide a mechanism for at‑fault parties to make victims whole for tax liabilities that would otherwise arise.

Opponents, including Representative Anderson and other members who spoke against the bill on the floor, argued House Bill 39 84 stripped protections that had been included in an earlier, more comprehensive proposal (referred to in floor debate as Senate Bill 926). They said the earlier measure (which had passed the House Judiciary Committee) included explicit tools to prevent cost‑shifting to ratepayers, prohibit dividend or profit distributions before victim judgments are paid, give courts authority to require security or bonds from liable parties, and create prejudgment interest remedies; critics said HB 39 84 removes those items and therefore weakens victims’ prospects of timely compensation.

Supporters responded that the bill contains important steps — certification and a funded study — that improve prevention and planning, and said the tax language protects survivors who receive settlements after the federal relief window. Representative Marsh said the bill is a step toward protecting communities and keeping utilities solvent and operating.

The House voted to pass the bill; the clerk declared House Bill 39 84 passed after it received the constitutional majority.

Why it matters: Legislators framed the bill as addressing two linked problems — preventing utility‑caused wildfires through clearer certification and planning, and helping survivors obtain compensation without tax penalty after protracted litigation. Opponents argued the bill traded away stronger consumer and victim protections for these incremental steps.

What’s next: The bill tasks the PUC to adopt rules for the certification process and to report interim findings in 2026. The third‑party study is to be paid for by an assessment on electric companies that cannot be passed to ratepayers, and the PUC will determine the study scope and deliverables under the statute.

Sources from the floor: Principal carrier Representative Marsh and co‑carrier Representative Krup presented the bill on the floor; Representatives Anderson, Sosa and others spoke in opposition and concern during the debate. The House recorded a roll call and the bill was declared passed.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Chamber Convenes 06/27/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Oregon House passed House Bill 39 84 on third reading, creating a PUC wildfire safety‑certification process for investor‑owned utilities, funding a third‑party catastrophic‑risk and recovery study, and adding tax‑relief language intended to protect wildfire victims whose compensation is delayed by litigation.","taxTitle","House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Oregon","taxId",17188,"location","Oregon","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6182981,"House updates groundwater law to prompt earlier action and local‑agency coordination; passes on third reading",21,1215550,1237090,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5100860-90f5a61c3ea6e951ff0b58f979b07dc9&start=1215&end=1237","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5100860-90f5a61c3ea6e951ff0b58f979b07dc9/thumbnail_1215550.jpg","/articles/6182981/Oregon/House-updates-groundwater-law-to-prompt-earlier-action-and-localagency-coordination-passes-on-third-reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182981-85f0c6ed8c3f14c74120bd761ab178f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035697&Signature=VhnNW-hRgttj1OlpqSHKV4EfmBDjGxj-wzlVhfo6-8NohYzkqdBs4HLG50eD3Pih5nJu0Z5DZKhjy3nbgB6nUMXuKwvgiUa1jN5BrBlkE5NFethWrnKs5cx8jjUv52HSVcKe7CFqfDZlZQdoUdYg2EHfCHXshqKFwDdHxvgFeWAr-ef3akO7bfMXm3DKgNB1rQ~0VOaqowTZV49KM8Whb82JmEzkx8UtnteF4F0cBWJwPHjlUPfCjqUR~bmvYrVB580hnLy2l3U3hY3r4DLrsVpCRPVIcwVfkng38d3AObV2xVjsoZZTYz18d1~fC9VaZpVqfDE6P0x6-QKmlFpD4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oregon House passed Senate Bill 11 54 on third reading, a measure described by sponsors as an update to the state’s Groundwater Quality Management Act to prompt earlier, locally led and agency‑informed responses to groundwater contamination.

Representative Helm, who carried the bill onto the floor, said more than 80% of Oregonians rely on groundwater for drinking water and that aquifer contamination is costly and difficult to remediate. The bill requires development of agency assessments and preliminary public‑health response plans, clarifies roles for agencies and local partners, and establishes a “green/yellow/red” planning framework: monitoring in “green,” voluntary early action in “yellow,” and, where contamination reaches critical levels, coordinated actions in “red.” The bill also requires the governor to appoint a lead agency and an interagency team, gives the Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) final decision authority on designations based on agency recommendation, requires biennial reporting to governing boards and the Legislature, and directs resource requests be submitted to the Legislature for plan implementation.

Representative Bobby Levy rose to place on the record assurances she said she had received from the governor’s office that SB 11 54 is not intended to disrupt the existing, locally driven Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area process (referred to on the floor as an ongoing, collaborative structure led by DEQ and local stakeholders). Levy said she had written assurances and conversations with the governor’s office that the bill would not change the locally established organizational framework, designated lead agency or the citizen advisory committee, and that the governor would consider a signing letter for additional clarity if the bill passed.

Supporters urged passage, saying the approach would provide clearer steps, improved data collection and accountability, and better coordination between state agencies and local communities facing contamination risks. The House voted and the clerk declared Senate Bill 11 54 passed after it received the constitutional majority.

Why it matters: Sponsors framed SB 11 54 as a modernization of a 1989 statutory framework to give agencies and communities earlier tools for monitoring, outreach, and targeted action before contamination reaches critical levels. Representative Helm emphasized accountability, interagency roles and publicly available information to guide local and state responses.

What’s next: The bill directs agency rule‑making and requires biennial reporting and resource requests to enable implementation; the governor’s office may issue a signing letter clarifying legislative intent for specific, ongoing local management areas as requested by Representative Levy.","Senate Bill 11 54 passed the House. Sponsors described the bill as a modernization of Oregon's Groundwater Quality Management Act to promote earlier agency and local response to contamination, require agency assessment and public‑health response plans, and establish a green/yellow/red planning framework; Representative Bobby Levy sought and read",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6182985,"House passes bill limiting strict product‑liability exposure for health care providers after Oregon Supreme Court ruling",290,1564880,1855270,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5100860-90f5a61c3ea6e951ff0b58f979b07dc9&start=1564&end=1855","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5100860-90f5a61c3ea6e951ff0b58f979b07dc9/thumbnail_1564880.jpg","/articles/6182985/Oregon/House-passes-bill-limiting-strict-productliability-exposure-for-health-care-providers-after-Oregon-Supreme-Court-ruling","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6182985-11b36fec01c73a2911aba0cb86a3e68e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771035697&Signature=F-5kWTUlM6O4vUMnZSDny5fS5cyWLHUjwPNqX-HeFR2pU4i2ndip3vA3mE4-zY7C8bOzHaMFcmJZgGa9HAG6ceZue08Xu7pUdVCQH1qaVSsaFxO0zushbEvZsJu8fgh8d9zqoXvxNBHTs0hxuU4DzbJNV79x2dk5IxWjRh~zEgZu813sxtrmECjLrz1D~GPoq4aDJPceV3FZ35Qkf24I7ATnGoUu4fzVmwUF-wRnjbK9ISS6YPE0H3TYswGuaO33tqaDpa5BTGUIYa3ozW97BgPh2WCG75BGn890GNGlJkIcxgvBhyNcg-7RFF7GawKKwfsMjkqiWw8zuWH0ApJCOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Oregon House passed Senate Bill 11 73 on third reading after a lengthy floor debate over product‑liability law and patient remedies. The measure says health care providers that use, but did not design or manufacture, medical products should not be treated as commercial sellers subject to strict product liability; the change responds to a recent Oregon Supreme Court decision that, in the court’s view, exposed providers to seller‑level liability when they charge for products dispensed as part of care.

Representative Javidy, who carried the bill, argued that the statute had been misaligned after the Oregon Supreme Court decision in Providence v. Brown and that the result was to expose hospitals and clinics to strict liability for defective products they did not create. Supporters said the law was economically dangerous and would raise costs, reduce availability of services and discourage independent providers. The bill’s sponsors said it retains malpractice and negligence remedies for patients while preventing automatic application of strict product liability to providers who merely supplied products used as part of care.

Opponents, including Representative Chi Chi and Representatives Nelson and others, said the change would make it harder for patients to obtain compensation when a manufacturer is unreachable, insolvent or overseas, and risked reducing institutional incentives to choose safer products. Several members described the 1979 product‑liability statute and the Oregon Supreme Court’s recent interpretation as tools that spread risk through the chain of commerce and protect consumers when manufacturers are unavailable. Opponents called for more time to craft safeguards rather than a last‑minute floor change.

Carrier Javidi and others rebutted that courts and plaintiffs can still pursue manufacturers, importers and distributors and that Oregon had become an outlier since the Supreme Court’s decision; they urged the House to adopt the statutory correction to match other states and avoid destabilizing provider insurance markets. The bill’s opponents said the current law preserves patient access to remedies when other parties cannot be reached.

The House voted and the clerk declared Senate Bill 11 73 passed by constitutional majority.

Why it matters: The bill changes statutory exposure for health care facilities and could affect litigation patterns, insurance costs for providers and patient recovery paths. Supporters framed the change as restoring national alignment; opponents argued it shifts risk toward patients in some scenarios and could blunt institutional accountability for selecting and monitoring products.

What’s next: The bill as passed will proceed through final enactment steps and could prompt rule‑making or further statutory clarifications. Advocates on both sides indicated willingness to continue negotiations if the bill advances to final enrollment or implementation.","Senate Bill 11 73 passed the House after extended debate. The measure narrows strict product‑liability exposure for hospitals, clinics and residential care facilities that use medical products but do not design or manufacture them, restoring alignment with the majority of U.S. states according to supporters; opponents said it reduces patients’","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Oregon House passes wildfire bill adding utility safety certification, victim tax relief and a catastrophic-risk study

House updates groundwater law to prompt earlier action and local‑agency coordination; passes on third reading

House passes bill limiting strict product‑liability exposure for health care providers after Oregon Supreme Court ruling