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WashingtonHB 15222025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Concerning approval of electric utility wildfire mitigation plans.

Sponsored By: Tom Dent (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Wildfire victims face limits on state claims

Beginning July 27, 2025, the commission is not liable for an electric company's implementation of its wildfire plan. The law also bars claims against the state, commission, commissioners, staff, and covered representatives, agents, or consultants. This bar covers death, injury, or property damage tied to actions taken in carrying out their wildfire-plan duties. It does not give electric companies immunity for their own actions.

Electric utilities face wildfire safety review

Beginning July 27, 2025, Washington's state-regulated electric companies must file wildfire safety plans as soon as practicable. Companies with plans already filed must submit updates instead. Plans must be updated at least every three years; more frequent updates are allowed. Filing should align with multiyear rate plans when practicable. Companies must share plans and updates with the Department of Natural Resources and the utility wildfire advisory committee. These copies must use the required format and appear on the committee's website. After at least one public workshop and a hearing, the Utilities and Transportation Commission must approve, reject, or conditionally approve plans. Its deadline is 120 days for initial plans and 90 days for updates. The commission can require changes that balance wildfire protection with costs, and must explain those changes in its approval order. It can consult governments, tribes, utilities, industry groups, and customer groups, and must describe those consultations in the order. Required rules cover vegetation, safety power shutoffs, service restoration, pole materials, circuits, and monitoring systems. They must include workshops with local fire districts, utilities, affected landowners, and customer groups. Vegetation rules must include guidelines for fair market payments to landowners when appropriate.

Electric utilities pay added state fees

Beginning July 27, 2025, Washington's Utilities and Transportation Commission must collect an extra, reasonable fee from state-regulated electric companies. This pays for the wildfire plan program; the law sets no amount or formula. Large combination utilities pay an annual regulatory fee of 0.1% on their first $50,000 of in-state operating revenue. They pay 0.5% on revenue above $50,000, based on the previous calendar year or portion of that year. The standard schedule for other covered public service companies is 0.1% on the first $50,000 and 0.4% above it. The commission can set or waive minimum fees by rule; minimum fees cannot exceed collection costs. It can lower percentage rates for company classes by general order before March 1 of that year. Electric, gas, water, telecommunications, and irrigation companies form one class; other regulated companies belong to additional classes. Late payments carry a 2% fee, and overdue fees accrue interest at 1% per month. These charges fall on companies; the law does not specify changes to customer bills.

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

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