County consultants Paul Yoder and Dylan Elliott gave a rapid overview of 2026 state legislative activity, noting about 1,160 bills were sent to the governor (approximately 1,040 signed) and flagged SB1329 (solar property‑tax impacts), SB492 (wildfire liability) and Proposition 1 housing bond priorities for Kern County.

Nielsen Merksimer presented an overview of the 2026 California legislative session and its likely 2027 opportunities. County staff will return in January with a draft 2027 priorities list indicating which staff and contractors will lead each item.

The county’s state‑legislative representatives reviewed the 2026 session and identified likely 2027 priorities: wildfire liability, housing mandates, alternative energy permitting (hydrogen, geothermal) and AI/automated decision system issues. Supervisors flagged PSPS/utility portal access and the need for county input on housing and wildfire policy.

Outside counsel Paul Yoder and Dylan Elliott briefed the Tulare County Board of Supervisors on the 2026 legislative session, highlighting county‑sponsored SB1115 on cemetery authority, the veto of AB2494 on demonstration forests, potential wildfire liability reforms and continued attention to artificial intelligence rules.

Assembly committees on Utilities & Energy and Insurance held a joint informational hearing examining insurance subrogation (called 'segregation' in the hearing), with experts outlining how subrogation works, its role in investigations, and the projected premium and customer impacts if subrogation were capped or eliminated.

Charles Delgado of the California State Association of Counties told the Modoc County Board that recent state and federal actions produced one-time county relief but left persistent holes, urged reexamination of medium-priority SGMA basins and warned wildfire-liability debates could return in a special session.

Kira Ross of the California Public Policy Group told Glendale council members that housing bills, data‑center water assessments, wildfire liability, PEPRA retirement proposals and budget strains were among the top developments in Sacramento this year and flagged several measures likely to return in 2027.

A CPPG managing director told council that the 2026 session produced 2,000+ bills with the governor signing about 40 and vetoing about 120; major topics affecting cities included housing measures, an affordable housing bond, e-bike safety/definitions, data-center restrictions and wildfire-liability/tort reforms.

Kiara Ross of CCPG told Pasadena’s committee the state session ended Sept. 1, the governor signed a children’s online safety package (SB 1119, 'Adam’s Law'), while wildfire liability and several data-center bills remain active on the governor’s desk and will return to focus next year.

State lobbyist Sharon Gonzales told the subcommittee both city‑sponsored bills have reached the governor's desk; she summarized other bills (wildfire liability, tort reform, SB1013 on LPR retention) and said the city will continue advocacy while bills await the governor's decision.

A supervisor reported CSAC board discussion about wildfire liability, including a letter asking that liability remain with investor‑owned utilities (PG&E) and references to AB 1054 and compensation concerns.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has abandoned his proposal to shift the financial burden of utility-sparked wildfires from utilities to property insurers and local governments, following intense public pressure from wildfire victims. The original plan aimed to limit utility liabilities by increasing insurance premiums and transferring costs to municipalities, but faced fierce opposition from survivors who called it a 'corporate bailout.' After weeks of negotiations and protests, Newsom agreed to scale back the legislation, retaining only measures to reduce attorney fees for insurers and create a state program for faster wildfire victim payments. Critics argue the revised plan still favors utility companies, while supporters claim it represents progress toward long-term reforms. The decision highlights ongoing tensions between corporate interests and disaster victims in California's energy sector, with calls for comprehensive legislative action to address systemic issues in utility accountability and wildfire prevention.

Rolling Hills Estates approved a letter supporting Murrieta's request for League of California Cities study of a state constitutional amendment to preserve local land-use authority; the mayor also led staff in sending an opposition letter to Assembly Bill 13 83 (pension changes) and the council authorized a strong opposition letter to a governor proposal on wildfire liability reform.

Utilities in California liable for wildfires even without negligence under strict liability law.

Insurers assess wildfire liabilities and verdicts to gauge future excess liability premiums.