Bill > HB2201

This bill establishes a comprehensive wildfire mitigation planning framework for public power entities and electric utilities in Arizona. The legislation requires these entities to develop and submit detailed wildfire mitigation plans to their governing bodies and the state forester every two years, starting in 2026. These plans must outline preventive actions, protective equipment, monitoring programs, and strategies for reducing wildfire risks, including procedures for infrastructure inspection, vegetation management, power line deenergization, and community outreach. The bill provides legal protections for utilities, stipulating that if they comply with an approved wildfire mitigation plan, they are deemed to meet the standard of care for a reasonably prudent utility and can limit their liability in wildfire-related lawsuits. Smaller utilities with fewer than 40,000 meters have slightly different submission requirements. The bill also defines key terms like "wildfire," "electric utility," and "public power entity," and establishes that these mitigation plans cannot be used as evidence against other utilities in civil actions. Notably, the bill limits the ability to seek punitive damages against utilities and prevents utilities from being held responsible for wildfire risks outside their direct control.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/81943