Committee backs wildfire-mitigation bill that gives PUC a role and a rebuttable presumption for utilities

Summary

The House State Affairs Committee voted to send Senate Bill 11-83 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation (11–3). The bill would let utilities submit wildfire mitigation plans to the Public Utilities Commission, create reporting requirements, and establish a rebuttable presumption about liability for utilities that comply with approved plans.

The House State Affairs Committee on March 24 voted to send Senate Bill 11-83, the “wildfire standard of care” bill, to the floor with a due-pass recommendation; the committee recorded a roll-call result of 11 in favor and 3 opposed. Representative Judy Boyle (sponsor) and multiple utility representatives and stakeholders testified during an extended hearing that addressed prevention measures, insurance and liability.

Boyle said the legislation is a “proactive bill to try to prevent wildfire” where powerlines and dead vegetation exist and described a process in which utilities would develop wildfire mitigation plans that the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) would review and make available for local fire districts and communities to comment on. Under the bill, the State Forester (Department of Lands) would have a role in reviewing plans for fire prevention.

Will Hart,…

Committee backs wildfire-mitigation bill that gives PUC a role and a rebuttable presumption for utilities

Summary

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