OR HB3984

Electric companies serving more than 25,000 retail customers that are found liable for wildfire damages must also pay plaintiffs' federal income tax liability on settlement or judgment amounts, with plaintiffs able to seek supplemental judgments to recover these taxes

Applies retroactively to wildfires ignited between January 1, 2020 and January 1, 2025, and amounts received under this provision are excluded from Oregon state taxable income

Electric companies must file annual applications with the Public Utility Commission for wildfire safety certification, with first applications due by December 31, 2027; certification requires an approved wildfire protection plan and demonstrated implementation but does not establish immunity from liability

Public Utility Commission must hire a third-party expert to study catastrophic wildfire risk and recovery, examining impacts on communities, utility liability and capital access, and policy options for compensation; interim report due to legislature during the 2026 session

Study costs will be assessed as fees against electric companies, who cannot recover the fees from ratepayers; the study provision sunsets January 2, 2028, and the bill takes effect immediately upon passage as an emergency measure