HB 1522 — Concerning approval of electric utility wildfire mitigation plans.

ENGROSSEDH-0671.2 SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1522 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By House Environment & Energy (originally sponsored by Representatives Dent, Reeves, Springer, and Hill)Hill READRead FIRSTfirst TIMEtime 02/10/25.01/22/25.

Referred to Committee on Environment & Energy.

Knowing what measures should be taken to minimize wildfire risk before it occurs and to respond to it when it does occur is central to the safe, efficient, and reliable provision of an essential public service.

This act relates to planning only and shall not be construed to create or alter any cause of action or alter the burden of proof in any cause of action.

1 ESHBHB 1522 NEW SECTION.

(1)(a) Each electrical company mustmay, file a wildfire mitigation plan with the commission as soon as practicable after the effective date of this section, unlessfile the company has previously filed a wildfire mitigation plan with the commissioncommission. prior to the effective date of this section.

An electrical company that has previously filed a wildfire plan with the commission must file a plan update as soon as practicable after the effective date of this section.

The company shall provide a copy of its wildfire mitigation plan and updates to the department of natural resources and the utility wildland fire prevention advisory committee created in RCW 76.04.78076.04.780. in the format prescribed under RCW 76.04.185 to be posted on the committee's website.

(2) The commission,commission after holding at least one public workshop and a hearing, must by order approve, reject, or approve with conditions, after a public meeting, an electrical company's wildfire mitigation plan within 120 days or plan update within 9060 days of the filing of such planplan. or plan update.

The commission may,shall inissue itsan order,order recommendapproving or requireapproving additionalwith elementsconditions the plan or plan update if the commission finds that the plan or plan update is based on reasonable and prudent practices and is designed to bemeet includedall inappropriate thestandards company'sadopted plan.or established by rule or order of the commission.

In evaluating a plan or plan update, the commission may consult with and consider information from federal, tribal, state, or local governmental entities, utilities, industry organizations, and groupsindustry representingorganizations. utility customers.

(3) The commission mustmay adopt rules to implement this section.

The rules must:may include, but need not be limited to, procedures and standards regarding vegetation management, public power safety shutoffs and service restoration, pole materials, circuitry, and monitoring systems.

p.

2 ESHB 1522 (a) Provide that a workshop be held pursuant to subsection (2) of this section that will involve local fire protection districts, utilities, affected landowners, and groups representing utility customers;

and (b) Include, but need not be limited to, procedures and standards regarding vegetation management, including guidelines for determining fair market landowner compensation when appropriate, public safety power shutoffs and service restoration, pole materials, circuitry, and monitoring systems.

There is no liability onp. the part of, and no cause of action of any nature may arise against, the state, commission, commissioners, commission staff, or commission representatives, agents, or consultants for the death of or injury to persons, or property damage, for any action taken by them in the performance of their powers and duties exercised under this section.

2 HB 1522 on the part of, and no cause of action of any nature may arise against, the state, commission, commissioners, commission staff, or commission representatives, agents, or consultants for the death of or injury to persons, or property damage, for any action taken by them in the performance of their powers and duties exercised under this section.

(2) The percentage rates of gross operating revenue to be paid in any year may be decreased by the commission for any class of companies subject to the payment of such fees, by general order entered before March 1st of such year, and for such purpose such p.companies shall be classified as follows:

3 ESHB 1522 companies shall be classified as follows:

(4) Any payment of the fee imposed by subsection (1) of this section made after its due date shall include a late fee of two percentp. of the amount due.

3 HB 1522 percent of the amount due.

4 ESHBHB 1522