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Montana hearing on HB 490: utilities seek limits on strict wildfire liability; opponents warn of liability shield for victims
Summary
House Bill 490 would bar automatic strict liability for Montana electric utilities in wildfire suits and require utilities to file wildfire mitigation plans; utilities said the change is needed to preserve insurance and service, while landowners and environmental groups warned it could shield utilities from accountability.
House Bill 490, presented to the Judiciary Committee as a sponsor-sponsored measure by Representative Amy Regier, would eliminate strict liability for electric cooperatives and utilities in wildfire cases and require utilities to prepare wildfire mitigation plans subject to review by elected cooperatives’ boards or the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC).
“The main purpose of this bill is for the electric co‑ops and public utilities to demonstrate their commitment to reducing fire risk,” Rep. Amy Regier said. The measure would preserve plaintiffs’ ability to recover damages for negligence, she said, but would prevent a strict-liability standard that some states have applied and that…
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