California wildfire survivors call for improved restitution at Capitol

A passionate group of wildfire survivors rallied at the Capitol on Tuesday in support a bill that could strengthen restitution for victims of fires caused by utility companies.

More than thirty individuals from Nevada County and across California — including many survivors of the Camp Fire that consumed Paradise — spoke in support of the bill during a Tuesday hearing of the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communication Committee.

“The Camp Fire destroyed my life,” said survivor Richard Byer. “I lost everything that I own that I’d worked for.”

Summer Hughs, another Camp Fire survivor, said losing her home in a wildfire causes not just one day but years of trauma.

The bill cleared the committee unanimously on Tuesday. It will move to the Appropriations Committee next.

The Utility Wildfire Survivor Restitution and Recovery Act, or AB 2700, would require the California Public Utilities Commission to generate a report that includes an assessment of restitution shortfalls for victims of wildfires caused by electric companies. It would also require the commission to recommend mechanisms for electric companies to address these shortfalls.

As a result, survivors of fires that include the 2015 Butte Fire in Amador County, the 2017 Thomas Fires in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, the 2017 North Bay Fires in Sonoma County, and the 2018 Camp Fire expect to receive fuller compensation for their losses.

“All utility wildfire survivors deserve fair, full, and timely restitution,” said Will Abrams, an organizing advocate with the Utility Wildfire Survivor Coalition.

In its current form, the bill requires the assessment of restitution shortfalls that occurred before July 12, 2019. However, proposed amendments would expand its scope to include all California wildfires 2015 to present. These amendments would also provide enforcement mechanisms and a legal foundation for the utilities’ responsibility for restitution.

Assemblymember Joe Patterson, R-Rocklin, said monetary restitution could never make up for the suffering wildfire survivors have endured. Patterson is sponsoring the bill after the election of its author, James Gallagher, to Congress.

“They’ve lost homes, property, and even their loved ones, and no amount of money will ever fix that,” said Patterson during his testimony. “However, restitution is able to help victims to begin rebuilding their lives.”

According to Patterson, some wildfire victims have waited over a decade to receive restitution, and likely will not receive all they were promised. He said delayed and incomplete restitution bars families from moving forward.

Abrams also testified in support of the measure, speaking on behalf of the Utility Wildfire Survivors Coalition.

“AB 2700 is desperately needed because hundreds of thousands of utility-caused wildfire survivors are suffering,” he said. “Prior legislation … did not foresee the actions of PG&E and certain institutional investors over these past five plus years undermining and dramatically delaying victim recovery.”

In 2019, the state created the California Wildfire Fund to reimburse eligible claims arising from a utility-caused wildfire. However, the fund did not help thousands of individuals who survived fires before that year, according to Abrams.

For survivors of the Butte Fire, the North Bay Fires and the Camp Fire, the primary restitution mechanism is the PG&E Fire Victim Trust. As of October 2024, the payment percentage stood at 70%, with no way to recover the remaining 30%.

Camp Fire survivor Doreen Zimmerman said utility companies are trying to “shut the door” on their restitution. Thirty percent is a lot when you have everything taken from you, she explained. Zimmerman described AB 2700 as “a crack” in the door that allows legislators to bring justice to the wildfire survivors.

Zimmerman’s husband developed a terminal illness shortly after the Camp Fire. In his final moments, Zimmerman said, he apologized for leaving her in a financial bind — a bind she attributes to the utilities’ lack of accountability.

“He takes his last breath … and apologizes for a disaster he did not cause,” she recalled.

Several of the public commenters shed tears, as did state Sen. Megan Dahle, R-Bieber, who represents Paradise and lost 87 constituents in the blaze.

Committee Chair Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, whose district saw the catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires in January 2025, expressed strong support of the bill.

“As someone who represents a fire zone that had devastating fire as well, I’m acutely aware of how incredibly difficult this has been for everybody,” he said.

The wildfire survivors clapped and cheered after the cleared the committee. They then gathered outside to celebrate the decision, holding signs that read “Justice for wildfire survivors” and “Full and fair compensation.”

Diane Forsman, who lost her mother in the Camp Fire, said she was “thrilled” by the news.

Camp Fire survivor Annette Kriebel echoed this enthusiasm. “I am so grateful for the support that we’ve received, and the kindness,” she said.

According to Abrams, the bill would finally hold utilities accountable for the destruction they have caused.

“I am all in favor of supporting the utilities so that they can keep the lights on, so they can earn a reasonable profit, but that cannot be at the expense of our communities and the people who live here,” he said.