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House committee advances wildfire mitigation and utility liability bill despite concerns over access and statute of limitations
Summary
The committee advanced the Wildfire Mitigation and Liability Act (HB 267) after extended testimony from utilities, insurers, victims' advocates and members; supporters said the bill incentivizes mitigation and stabilizes co-ops, while insurers and others warned it limits recovery and insufficiently defines mitigation standards.
Representative Dixon presented the committee substitute for House Bill 267, the Wildfire Mitigation and Liability Act, saying the measure was informed by a stakeholder working group and aims to "incentivize eligible utilities to develop and implement wildfire mitigation plans." The bill creates a rebuttable presumption that a utility that files and complies with an approved plan has acted reasonably, while preserving the right to sue for intentional or malicious conduct.
Jay Sturhan, senior vice president and general counsel at Tri-State Generation and Transmission, told the committee that rising insurance…
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