Section 1 of the bill directs the state claims board (board) to compromise or settle claims brought by certain claimants who have suffered damages or other losses in connection with the lower north fork wildfire (wildfire) in March 2012 to reimburse them for their economic and noneconomic losses as well as interest on such amounts. The bill specifies that the total amount of the moneys paid to each claimant reflects the amount of money in excess of the liability limitations under current law for which the board recommended the claimant recover, any additional damages that the arbiters recommended the state pay these claimants in pending state court litigation, and interest on such amounts. Upon approval by the board of the payments of the total claims, the office of the state controller is required to make payment to the claimants from the general fund no later than September 1, 2014.
In accepting the payment, a claimant agrees to release the state claimant by the state. from any future claims arising out of the wildfire.
Section 2 of the bill specifies the total amount to be paid to each