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House passes wildfire mitigation bill making utilities liable for negligence, expands state review of mitigation plans
Summary
House members approved HB 2201 after extended floor debate. The bill requires utility compliance with approved wildfire mitigation plans, expands review authority for the state forester and Department of Forestry and Fire Management, allows fee authority and a utility‑funding mechanism, and preserves civil remedies if a utility is found at fault.
The Arizona House gave final passage Tuesday to House Bill 2201, a wildfire‑mitigation measure that makes utilities potentially liable for negligence related to wildfires and expands state review and approval of wildlife management plans.
State Representative Griffin, sponsor of HB 2201, told the House he and stakeholders had worked on the measure “for quite a while,” and described the bill as requiring utilities to comply with approved mitigation plans and making utilities liable for negligence. “Utility companies will be liable for any negligence,” Griffin said in explaining his vote.
State Representative Connolly detailed the bill’s implementation mechanics and stakeholder changes made in the Senate. He said the bill requires the state forester to review and approve all wildlife management plans filed, creates a transparent process at the Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) with public notice and comment, allows the DFFM to levy fees, establishes a utility‑based funding mechanism for implementation, and provides remedies including recovery for loss if a utility is found at fault. “There is also a robust and transparent process for their Department of Forestry and Fire Management approval, including public notice, opportunities for commenting, and public meeting to solicit community feedback,” Connolly said.
Other members who rose to explain votes described stakeholder engagement and urged support. Representative Volk said the bill improved after stakeholder engagement in the Senate and voted aye. Representative Griffin said the measure addressed most concerns raised by stakeholders and asked colleagues to support it.
The clerk recorded final passage as 41 ayes, 15 nays. The transcript shows the bill signed in open session and the clerk was instructed to convey the bill to the governor.
Why it matters: HB 2201 changes liability and oversight for utilities operating in wildfire‑prone areas. It creates a process for state review of mitigation plans, identifies funding mechanisms for DFFM implementation, and preserves civil remedies where utilities are found negligent — provisions that affect utilities, regulators, and residents in fire‑vulnerable areas.
What’s next: The bill passed the House and will be conveyed to the governor; implementation details (fee schedules, plan‑approval processes) will depend on rulemaking and DFFM actions if the bill becomes law.
