Bill > HB2275

This bill establishes the Washington wildfire prevention and protection council and a related fund to address the growing threat of catastrophic wildfires in Washington state. The council will oversee a fund designed to provide compensation to victims of catastrophic wildfires, support wildfire mitigation and prevention efforts such as forest health and defensible space around homes, and ensure the financial stability of electric utilities while protecting consumers from extreme cost increases. The fund will be financed through contributions from participating electric utilities, which may include consumer-owned utilities and electrical companies. Participating utilities must also submit and adhere to wildfire mitigation plans and maintain insurance coverage to be eligible for reimbursement from the fund for damages exceeding a certain threshold caused by covered wildfires, which are defined as wildfires caused by an electric utility's negligence. The bill also amends existing laws related to wildfire mitigation plans for electrical companies and the distribution of investment earnings from treasury accounts, including the newly established wildfire prevention and protection account.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2275&Year=2025&Initiative=false