Public utilities-wildfire mitigation and liability limits.
AN ACT relating to public utilities; requiring public utilities to prepare and submit wildfire mitigation plans; specifying procedures for the submission and review of wildfire mitigation plans; specifying how costs associated with wildfire mitigation plans may be recovered; specifying limits for liability and damages for public utilities related to wildfires; requiring rulemaking; specifying applicability; and providing for effective dates.
This bill, HB0192, aims to enhance wildfire mitigation efforts by public utilities. It requires these utilities to create and submit plans detailing how they will reduce the risk of wildfires, including procedures for plan submission and review. The bill also outlines how utilities can recover costs related to these mitigation efforts and sets limits on their liability and damages due to wildfires. Additionally, it mandates the creation of new rules to govern these processes.
The bill directly affects public utilities, which are companies that provide essential services like electricity, gas, and water. By requiring these companies to develop wildfire mitigation plans, the bill seeks to protect communities from the dangers of wildfires and ensure utilities have a clear path to recover costs associated with these efforts. This legislation is particularly relevant in areas prone to wildfires, where utilities play a crucial role in preventing fires.
HB0192 was introduced on January 21, 2025, and has since passed both the House and Senate. It was signed into law on March 6, 2025, and is now effective as HEA No. 0058. Key milestones include its passage in the Senate on February 28, 2025, and its final approval by the Governor on March 6, 2025.