Bill > SB1153

This bill requires urban retail water suppliers, which are defined as entities that sell water to end-users in urban areas, that serve areas designated as high or very high fire hazard severity zones to update their disaster preparedness plans by January 1, 2028. These updated plans must specifically include procedures for responding to wildfires, including mitigation actions like identifying critical infrastructure, assessing its resilience to fire, and planning for backup power, as well as immediate response actions and customer communication strategies. The bill also clarifies that a water system's inability to maintain water supply or pressure during a wildfire, or the spread of wildfire itself, will not be considered a substantial cause of damages resulting from the wildfire, nor an inherent risk of the water system's design, construction, or maintenance. This aims to ensure water suppliers in high-risk areas are better prepared for wildfires without making them liable for damages beyond their intended function.