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Senate approves bill letting utilities adopt wildfire-prevention plans after amendment dispute
Summary
The Senate passed the third substitute of House Bill 66 allowing electricity providers to develop wildland-fire prevention plans and seek cost recovery; an amendment to add a rebuttable presumption preserving access to courts was debated and failed on a standing count.
The Utah Senate approved the third substitute of House Bill 66 after extended floor debate over liability, incentives for utilities and judicial access.
Sponsors said the legislation authorizes electric utilities to create wildland-fire prevention plans and allows cost recovery for measures tied to those plans. Senator Sandel, speaking on behalf of the bill, said the approach aligns with Utah's prevention goals: "The more effort we put into the front end to prevent wildfires will save the state considerable dollars on the back end."
Senator James Hilliard moved an amendment that…
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