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Alaska2026Passed Legislature

HB252

Alaska Electric Utility Fire Prevention Plan

Last scannedSep 12, 2026, 4:46 AM

In one sentence

This law limits when electric companies can be sued for fires caused by plants touching power lines and requires them to create fire safety plans approved by the Department of Natural Resources.

What it does

  • Limits lawsuits against utilities if vegetation touches their electrical facilities, unless specific exceptions apply.
  • Requires utilities to write a wildland fire mitigation plan that is updated every year or after new risk assessments are completed.
  • Mandates that the Department of Natural Resources must approve each utility's fire prevention plan before it takes effect.
  • Lists steps for utilities in high-risk areas, such as trimming trees and cutting power during dangerous conditions if safety needs outweigh other risks.
  • Creates a legal presumption that a utility was not negligent if they adopted an approved fire mitigation plan and substantially complied with related requirements.

Who it affects

  • Electric utilities operating under state certificates of public convenience and necessity.
  • Property owners whose land is near or adjacent to electric utility facilities, who may be protected from liability in certain situations involving work outside boundaries.
  • The Department of Natural Resources, which must review and approve the safety plans.

Limits and unknowns

  • Utilities can still be held liable if they cause vegetation to touch their lines.
  • Utilities remain liable for fires caused by work done outside the boundaries of their property or approved plan areas.
  • The law does not specify an effective date in the provided text, though it applies only to lawsuits filed and acts occurring on or after that future date.

Plain language

Terms to know

Wildland Fire Mitigation Plan
A written document approved by the Department of Natural Resources that describes how a utility will manage vegetation to prevent fires, protect adjacent properties, and ensure safety.
Right-of-Way
The specific area of land, such as an easement or lease, where a utility is allowed to build and maintain its electrical facilities.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

ELECTRIC UTILITY FIRE PREVENTION PLAN An Act relating to liability of an electric utility for contact between vegetation and the utility's facilities; and relating to electric utility wildland fire mitigation plans.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled> -- Please Note Time Change --Text
  2. (H) ENERGY at 01:30 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  3. (H) Minutes (HENE)Min
  4. (H) <Bill Hearing Canceled> -- Please Note Time Change --Text
  5. (H) ENERGY at 01:30 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  6. (H) Heard & HeldText
  7. (H) ENERGY at 01:00 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  8. (H) Heard & HeldText
  9. (H) ENERGY at 01:00 PM GRUENBERG 120Text
  10. (H) REFERRED TO ENERGY1450
  11. (H) ENE, L&C1450
  12. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS1450
  13. (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/16/261450