Nevada Appeal Capitol Bureau
Tuesday, April 6, 2021
The Assembly Ways and Means Committee was asked Monday to support a bill expanding the ability of governments and agencies to seek reimbursement from people who willfully or negligently cause wildfires.
Assembly Bill 86 removes the requirement that the fire must have threatened human life.
It also expands those who can seek reimbursement of firefighting expenses, adding cities and general improvement districts that provide fire protection to the list that currently includes federal, state, counties and agencies.
AB86 allows the governmental body to bring a lawsuit in court against whoever is responsible for the wildfire and recover any expenses incurred in fighting the fire along with reasonable attorney’s fees and other litigation expenses.
The committee voted to approve the measure and sent it to the Assembly floor for a vote.
