SB 5430 — Concerning approval of electric utility wildfire mitigation plans.

S-1416.2S-0712.1 SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5430 State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session By Senate Environment, Energy & Technology (originally sponsored by Senators Chapman, Short, Boehnke, Liias, Dozier, and Nobles)Nobles READRead FIRSTfirst TIMEtime 02/18/25.01/22/25.

Referred to Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology.

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.

NEWp. SECTION.

1 SB 5430 NEW SECTION.

p.(1)(a) Each electrical company may, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this section, file a wildfire mitigation plan with the commission.

1 SSB 5430 (1)(a) Each electrical company must file a wildfire mitigation plan with the commission as soon as practicable after the effective date of this section, unless the company has previously filed a wildfire mitigation plan with the commission prior to the effective date of this section.

An electrical company that has previously filed a wildfire mitigation 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.

(b) Nothing in this subsection prohibits an electrical company from updating its wildfire mitigation plan more often than required under (a)subsection (1)(a) of this subsection.section.

(2) The commission must approve, reject, or approve with conditions, after holding at least one public workshop and 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 shall issue an order approving or approving with conditions 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 meet all applicableappropriate standards adopted or established by rule or order of the commission,commission. as well as other applicable laws and regulations.

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.

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

2The SSBrules 5430may (3)include, Thebut commissionneed mustnot adoptbe ruleslimited toto, implementprocedures thisand section.standards regarding vegetation management, public power safety shutoffs and service restoration, pole materials, circuitry, and monitoring systems.

The rules must:

(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 SB 5430 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 p.companies subject to the payment of such fees, by general order entered before March 1st of such year, and for such purpose such companies shall be classified as follows:

3 SSB 5430 companies subject to the payment of such fees, by general order entered before March 1st of such year, and for such purpose such 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 SB 5430 percent of the amount due.

4 SSBSB 5430