On July 12, 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1054 and AB 111 (collectively, the “2019 Wildfire Legislation”). The 2019 Wildfire Legislation enacts a broad set of reforms and programs related to utility-caused wildfires in California, including establishing the California Wildfire Fund (“Fund”).

 

The purpose of the Fund is to provide a source of money to reimburse eligible claims arising from a covered wildfire caused by a utility company that participates in the Fund by assisting in capitalizing the Fund, and undertaking certain other obligations specified in the law. There are three participating utility companies.

 

Oversight of the administration of the Fund is the responsibility of the California Catastrophe Response Council (“Council”), created under AB 111. You can find out more information about the Council here. Under the oversight of the Council, the California Earthquake Authority (“CEA”) serves as the Administrator of the Fund.*

 

Important Note to Residents and Business Owners

The Fund exists as a mechanism for utility companies to recover certain costs and expenses arising from covered wildfires. By statute, the Fund is only authorized to distribute funds directly to the utility companies after they have paid or settled eligible claims arising from a covered wildfire.

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If you are an individual or business owner seeking a financial recovery or related support from the impact of a wildfire, information on the following sites may be helpful to you:

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• Fire Victim Trust (for the 2015 Butte Fire, 2017 North Bay Fires and 2018 Camp Fire)

• California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund

• California Department of Insurance: Resources to Help Recent Wildfire Survivors

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