Public Utilities-Wildfire Mitigation and Liability Limits
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Bill Summary - 25LSO-0530 Bill No.: HB0192 Effective: 7/1/2025 LSO No.: 25LSO-0530 Enrolled Act No.: HEA No. 0058 Chapter No.: 119 Prime Sponsor: Larson, JT Catch Title: Public utilities-wildfire mitigation and liability limits. Has Report: No Subject: Requiring utilities to prepare wildfire mitigation plans. Summary/Major Elements: This act requires electric utilities to prepare a wildfire mitigation plan that outlines actions the electric utility will take to minimize the risk of wildfire and to respond to wildfire events. The act specifies what electric utilities must include in the wildfire mitigation plan, including areas that may be subject to a heightened wildfire risk, a description of the standards for inspecting infrastructure and performing vegetation management, procedures for de-energizing power lines to mitigate potential wildfires, and procedures to restore service after a wildfire. The act requires each electric utility to submit its wildfire mitigation plan to the Public Service Commission for review and approval. The Commission must approve the plan if it finds that the plan is reasonable, in the public interest, and appropriately balances the costs of implementing the plan with the risks of a potential wildfire. The act requires each utility to submit an updated plan every five (5) years and to submit an annual report on complying with the plan. The act creates a presumption in civil actions that an approved wildfire mitigation plan is a reasonable and prudent preparation for, and mitigation of, wildfire risk. This act limits a person's ability to recover from an electric utility for losses associated with a wildfire. A person may recover economic losses from an electric utility associated with wildfire damages if: (1) the electric utility failed to substantially comply with an approved wildfire mitigation plan; or (2) the electric utility acted with gross negligence, malice, or criminal intent, and the action or inaction was the actual and proximate cause of the damages to the person. The act specifies requirements and procedures for bringing an action against an electric utility for wildfire-related damages, including a four (4) year filing deadline and a limitation on recovering noneconomic losses. This act requires the Public Service Commission to promulgate rules. Comments: This act has a split effective date. The rulemaking provisions are effective immediately, while the remainder of the act is effective on July 1, 2025. The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.
Public statements
Last checked Aug 5, 2:52 AM
R · S08
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker explains they are adding a new section to address concerns that the bill might prohibit legal actions against utilities for issues outside of their management control.
R · S22
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment to clarify that liability protections only apply within the wildfire management plan, ensuring unrelated actions can still be brought against utilities while maintaining protection for those following the plan.
S06
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because extensive work was done to ensure protections are in place for electric cooperatives serving over 104,000 homes and businesses across the state.
R · S25
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports passing the bill because wildfire liability is a significant issue where ratepayers often bear the cost when utilities fail, and recent amendments have addressed landowner concerns.
R · S02
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because it protects easements, allowing landowners to negotiate liability protections as part of those agreements.
R · H18
Why they voted this way
The speaker supports concurrence because the prime sponsor of the bill agrees with the Senate amendments.
R · H17
Why they voted this way
The speaker votes to concur because of the extensive work done by the interim committee and working group throughout the session.
R · H52
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the amendment because altering the bill could destroy it, leading utilities to self-insure and causing large increases in power bills.
R · H04
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the amendment due to fears that allowing recovery for non-economic losses like pain and suffering could bankrupt utilities.
R · H51
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment to ensure homeowners have recourse for gross negligence, such as an employee failing to use a spark arrestor.
R · H38
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports Amendment Two to share fire mitigation costs between ratepayers and electric companies, ensuring transparency on how much rates will increase.
R · H02
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes Amendment Two because the bill is designed to protect ratepayers and co-ops are owned by those same ratepayers.
R · H17
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker explained their vote because they are a party in a lawsuit that would be impacted by this bill, disclosing a conflict of interest.
If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.
Wyoming roll calls
5 roll calls
Official activity
Changes
11 stored
The amendment changes the conditions under which an electric utility can be held liable for noneconomic losses related to wildfires.
The amendment limits how much an electric utility can pass on to customers for wildfire mitigation plans.
The amendment adds conditions under which the commission can extend the implementation period of wildfire mitigation plans beyond the initial deadline.
The amendment adds requirements for public utilities to consider input from forestry and firefighting entities when creating wildfire mitigation plans, mandates good faith negotiations between electric utilities and landowners before legal action can be taken, and limits the types of damages that can be claimed in wildfire-related lawsuits.
The amendment adds language to ensure that wildfire mitigation plans approved by the commission take precedence over any conflicting local land use rules.
The amendment changes a specific section to include all conservation districts and municipalities instead of just those associated with the Wyoming Association.
The amendment modifies liability limits for public utilities related to wildfires by specifying conditions under which certain actions against an electric utility are excluded from these limits.
The amendment removes a previous amendment related to wildfire mitigation and liability limits for public utilities.
The amendment changes the numbering of certain sections in a bill related to wildfire mitigation plans for public utilities.
The amendment changes the requirement for public utilities to submit wildfire mitigation plans from mandatory to optional and adds conditions under which an electric utility can be held liable if it denies or delays approval of a plan.
The amendment requires electric utilities to notify counties and certain associations when a wildfire mitigation plan is submitted to the public service commission.