California Lawmakers Reach Compromise on Wildfire Recovery Bill, Scale Back Newsom's Utility Liability Plan

California lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom negotiated over a wildfire recovery bill following months of debate over who should bear financial responsibility for blazes caused by utility equipment. Newsom's original proposal, which would have limited electric companies' financial liability for utility-sparked wildfires through a subrogation change, was rejected by legislators and reportedly removed from consideration. A compromise emerged involving three parties—Newsom, the state Senate, and the Assembly—with language for the proposal becoming public early Saturday morning, according to one report. The California Legislature was expected to vote on the resulting bill, which Newsom said would help wildfire survivors receive compensation faster, though it falls short of the broader reforms to utility fire costs he had originally sought. The exact timing of the vote and the precise date the compromise was finalized are not fully corroborated across reports, with one account referencing an early Saturday morning agreement and another describing an upcoming vote after the rejection of Newsom's original plan. Further details on the bill's specific provisions, implementation timeline, and long-term impact on utility liability policy remain unresolved based on available reporting.