August 25, 2026
UPDATE (September 2026): SB 492 Failed to Pass
SB 492 — the bill behind the utility-backed “Wildfire Victims First” campaign — did not pass the State Assembly and was never brought forward for a vote. Governor Newsom’s original proposal this summer would have limited fire survivors’ compensation and restricted insurance companies’ ability to sue utilities to recover claim payouts. After a month of advocacy, including many fire survivors contacting their elected officials, those provisions were stripped from the bill before it died. Utility companies ultimately pushed back on what remained of the bill, and some lawmakers had concerns that it was moving too fast.
What this means for survivors: Because SB 492 did not pass, the law has not changed. Your right to pursue full compensation from the utility responsible for your losses remains exactly what it was before this campaign began.
What’s next: Legislative leaders have indicated they may hold hearings this fall to continue working on wildfire policy, and there is some possibility of a special session. The fight may not be over — we will continue monitoring anything that could affect survivors’ cases.
What Was the Proposed California Utility Bailout?
Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric, and San Diego Gas & Electric backed a campaign called “Wildfire Victims First,” which claimed to be a framework for stronger fire prevention and faster recovery. But the campaign was, in substance, a push for legislation — SB 492 — that would have limited what wildfire survivors could recover in damages and restricted insurers’ ability to sue utilities to recover claim payouts.
Inside “Wildfire Victims First”: How Utilities Tried to Limit Survivor Claims
Strip away the branding, and this campaign was about one thing: protecting utility profits. The campaign was paid for by the same utilities that are responsible for some of the most destructive fires in California history, and fire survivor advocates claim the campaign would have limited what wildfire survivors can recover in damages — including compensation for business losses and emotional distress.
“This will create billions of dollars of more protection for the utilities that they don’t have to pay for wildfire victims in the future,” – Joy Chen, executive director of Every Fire Survivor’s Network.
How This Legislation Could Have Shaped Future Wildfire Claims
The push to limit survivor recovery came at a critical moment for families and business owners affected by the Eaton Fire. Many survivors are still working to rebuild their lives and recover losses tied to property damage, displacement, business interruption, and emotional trauma. If utility-backed legislation like “Wildfire Victims First” had succeeded, it could have significantly reduce the compensation available to wildfire survivors moving forward. If you were affected by the Eaton Fire, it’s still worth understanding your legal options now — before any changes to California law take effect. Learn more about the Eaton Fire lawsuit and what compensation may be available to you.
What the Wildfire Bailout Legislation Left Out
Notice what’s missing from the utilities’ messaging. There’s no mention of:
- Taking stronger safety measures to prevent equipment from sparking catastrophic fires in the first place.
- Capping utility executive profits or shareholder payouts so survivors can receive full, fair compensation.
Instead, the conversation was steered entirely toward limiting what survivors can claim — not toward preventing the next fire.
How California Wildfire Survivors and Advocates Fought Back
A coalition of fire survivors, local governments, insurers, attorneys, and consumer groups urged the legislature to reject the bailout. Advocates countered with public awareness campaigns, working alongside grassroots advocacy groups like the Every Fire Survivor’s Network and Consumer Watchdog. Corey Gibbs attorney Amanda Riddle is a member of the Steering Committee to help “Stop The Utility Bailout” and hold Edison accountable. That advocacy — including many fire survivors contacting their elected officials directly — is a key reason the bill’s most damaging provisions were removed before it died.
What Happens Next?
Legislative leaders have signaled that wildfire policy hearings could resume this fall, and a special session remains a possibility. We’ll continue to track developments and update survivors on anything that could affect their right to compensation.
If you have questions about how this affects your case, contact Corey Gibbs Fire Lawyers at lafires@classlawgroup.com or 626-669-4886.