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ArizonaHB 2201Fifty-seventh Legislature - First Regular SessionHouseWALLET

technical correction; electricity; power authority

Sponsored By: Gail Griffin (Republican)

Signed by Governor

approvalcause of actiondefinitions (s)electricityexclusive means of recovery (s)exemption from rulemaking (s)fees (s)hearing (s)legal duty (s)liability for causing wildfires (s)power - title 30power authoritypublic lands - title 37 (s)public utilities and carriers - title 40rules (s)severability (s)strike everything amendmenttechnical correctionutilitieswildfire management planningwildfire mitigationwildfire mitigation plan (s)wildfire mitigation planning (s)

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Wildfire victims face tighter claim limits

For wildfire claims against public power entities and electric utilities, this law sets the exclusive path to seek recovery, except when a written agreement or federal law provides otherwise. It creates no new claim or legal duty. Following an approved plan meets the negligence standard, but a claimant must prove that breaking the plan caused the damage; this protection does not cover willful, intentional, or reckless conduct that causes a fire. Certain ignitions outside an entity’s control and some risks outside its rights or access are excluded from fault decisions. The law bars wildfire-related condemnation and inverse-condemnation claims. Punitive damages are generally barred against electric utilities; a plaintiff may seek them only after proving personal injury or bodily harm against a utility that is not a cooperative, then proving the required conduct by clear and convincing evidence. Related companies and qualifying attachors receive plan-related liability treatment; an attachor must have and follow an attachment agreement for claims involving its equipment.

Utilities must plan for wildfire risks

Public power entities generally must get governing-body approval and State Forester approval by May 1, 2026, then update plans every even-numbered year. Electric utilities generally must submit plans to the Forester on the same schedule. Public power entities with fewer than 40,000 Arizona meters on January 1, 2025, are outside the rules if they do not submit plans to both reviewers. Cooperatives under that meter count may submit plans; larger cooperatives must prepare plans but may submit them, and the rules do not apply to a cooperative that does not submit. Plans address vegetation, inspections, power shutoffs, service restoration, and community outreach. The Forester identifies affected local governments within 14 days; utilities then have 10 days to notify them, and the Forester must hold a public meeting within 45 days. The Forester can request changes within 120 days; the utility has 90 days to respond, and the Forester has 60 days to decide. Approved plans stay in effect while updates are reviewed.

Wildfire plan approval does not set rates

State Forester approval of an electric utility’s wildfire plan does not approve charging customers for the plan’s costs. The law does not set utility rates or decide whether a utility can recover those costs through another process.

New fees for utility wildfire plans

The State Forester may charge public power entities and electric utilities reasonable fees to review wildfire plans. Fees may reflect review time and materials, the entity’s size and resources, and its service area’s complexity. The law sets no fee amount and does not directly change household utility bills.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Gail Griffin

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 141 • No: 85

House vote • 5/6/2025

FINAL: Passed

Yes: 41 • No: 15

House vote • 5/6/2025

CONCUR: Passed

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 4/29/2025

THIRD: Passed

Yes: 22 • No: 7

House vote • 3/24/2025

DPA

Yes: 5 • No: 2

House vote • 2/25/2025

THIRD: Passed

Yes: 35 • No: 25

House vote • 2/18/2025

THIRD: failed to pass

Yes: 28 • No: 32

House vote • 2/10/2025

C&P

Yes: 5 • No: 2

House vote • 2/3/2025

DPA/SE

Yes: 5 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Final Reading: Passed

    5/6/2025House

  2. Concurrence: Passed

    5/6/2025House

  3. Third Reading: Passed

    4/29/2025House

  4. Committee of the Whole: do pass amended

    4/22/2025House

  5. undefined: PFC

    4/8/2025House

  6. undefined: DPA

    3/24/2025House

  7. Third Reading: Passed

    2/25/2025House

  8. Additional Committee of the Whole: do pass amended

    2/24/2025House

  9. Miscellaneous Motion: Passed

    2/24/2025House

  10. Motion to Reconsider Third: Passed

    2/18/2025House

  11. Third Reading: failed to pass

    2/18/2025House

  12. Committee of the Whole: do pass amended

    2/12/2025House

  13. undefined: C&P

    2/10/2025House

  14. undefined: DPA/SE

    2/3/2025House

Bill Text

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