California Public Resources Code 4205 – (a) (1) There is hereby created within the Office of …
(a) (1) There is hereby created within the Office of Planning and Research the Commission on Catastrophic Wildfire Cost and Recovery, to examine issues related to catastrophic wildfires associated with utility infrastructure. The commission shall consist of five members. Three members shall be appointed by the Governor, one member shall be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, and one member shall be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly.
(2) The chair of the commission shall be selected by the members of the commission.
Terms Used In California Public Resources Code 4205
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
(3) Members appointed to the commission shall have demonstrated academic, business, or governmental expertise in laws, policies, and programs applicable to insurance or public and private utilities, and to processes for the allocation of costs and the reduction of damages associated with wildfires in the state.
(b) The commission shall hold at least four public meetings throughout the state for purposes of accepting public and expert testimony on, and for evaluating and making recommendations on, the following matters:
(1) Options for the Legislature and the Governor to consider for enactment that would socialize the costs associated with catastrophic wildfires in an equitable manner.
(2) Options for the Legislature and Governor to consider for enactment that would establish a fund to assist in the payment of costs associated with catastrophic wildfires.
(c) (1) On or before July 1, 2019, the commission, in consultation with the Public Utilities Commission and the Insurance Commissioner, shall prepare a report to the Legislature, in compliance with § 9795 of the Government Code, and to the Governor containing its assessment of the issues surrounding catastrophic wildfire costs and damages, and making recommendations for changes to law that would ensure equitable distribution of costs among affected parties.
(2) Pursuant to § 10231.5 of the Government Code, the requirement for submitting a report imposed by paragraph (1) is inoperative on July 1, 2023.
(Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 626, Sec. 7. (SB 901) Effective January 1, 2019.)