SB 982: Climate disasters: civil actions.

This bill would allow the attorney general to bring a civil action against specified fossil fuel companies for climate-related damage to recover costs and losses suffered by various parties. The companies would be strictly liable without regard to fault for any relief granted. The court and jury would use market share and alternate liability principles to determine proportionate liability among the companies. The bill would prohibit the companies from recovering costs from California consumers through higher prices. The recovered funds would be deposited into the attorney general climate disaster fund, which would be used to support climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, as well as provide compensation to affected parties.