PRIA Logo™
WashingtonHB 15222025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning approval of electric utility wildfire mitigation plans.

Sponsored By: Tom Dent (Republican)

Became Law

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

New wildfire plans and reviews for utilities

Beginning July 27, 2025, every regulated electric utility must file a wildfire mitigation plan and update it at least every three years. If a company already filed a plan, it must submit an update as soon as practicable. Utilities must send copies to the Department of Natural Resources and the state wildfire advisory committee for posting. The commission holds at least one public workshop and a hearing, then must decide within 120 days for new plans and 90 days for updates; it can approve, reject, or approve with conditions and must explain any changes and who it consulted. The commission must set rules on vegetation management (including fair market pay to landowners when appropriate), public safety power shutoffs and service restoration, and utility equipment and monitoring; workshops include local fire districts, utilities, landowners, and customer groups. The law repeals the prior wildfire plan review statute and replaces it with this process.

Immunity for state wildfire regulators

The law bars lawsuits against the state, the Utilities and Transportation Commission, and its staff and consultants for actions under this wildfire plan section. People cannot bring claims for death, injury, or property damage from those official actions. The commission is also not liable for a utility’s implementation of its wildfire plan.

Higher regulatory fees on large utilities

The commission collects an extra reasonable fee from electric companies to fund wildfire plan oversight. Large combination utilities also owe an annual regulatory fee: 0.1% on the first $50,000 of gross intrastate operating revenue and 0.5% on revenue above $50,000. The commission can set or waive minimum fees. Late payments face a 2% late fee and 1% interest per month.

Free Policy Watch

You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.

Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.

Pick a topic to get started

My TaxesMy HealthMy BudgetMy MoneyMy Freedom
Or tell us something more specific

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Tom Dent

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Kristine Reeves

    Democratic • House

  • Larry Springer

    Democratic • House

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 145 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/15/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/7/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 97 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    4/24/2025House

  2. Chapter 156, 2025 Laws.

    4/24/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    4/24/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/21/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/18/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/16/2025legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/15/2025House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/15/2025House

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    4/9/2025House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    4/8/2025House

  11. WM - Majority; do pass.

    4/7/2025House

  12. Referred to Ways & Means.

    4/2/2025House

  13. And refer to Ways & Means.

    4/1/2025House

  14. ENET - Majority; do pass.

    4/1/2025House

  15. First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology.

    3/11/2025House

  16. Third reading, passed; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/7/2025House

  17. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/7/2025House

  18. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    3/7/2025House

  19. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    3/7/2025House

  20. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/28/2025House

  21. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/10/2025House

  22. ENVI - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/6/2025House

  23. ENVI - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/6/2025House

  24. First reading, referred to Environment & Energy.

    1/22/2025House

  25. Introduced

    1/22/2025House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation

Take It Personal

Get Your Personalized Policy View

Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.

Already have an account? Sign in