All Roll Calls
Yes: 150 • No: 8
WyomingHB 1922025 General SessionHouse
AN ACT relating to public utilities; requiring public utilities to prepare and submit wildfire mitigation plans; specifying procedures for the submission and review of wildfire mitigation plans; specifying how costs associated with wildfire mitigation plans may be recovered; specifying limits for liability and damages for public utilities related to wildfires; requiring rulemaking; specifying applicability; and providing for effective dates.
Sponsored By: J.T. Larson (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Landowners face tighter wildfire claim limits
Beginning July 1, 2025, an approved utility wildfire plan is presumed reasonable and prudent unless evidence proves otherwise. Before suing over wildfire damage, landowners and utilities must negotiate in good faith. Utilities must respond within 90 days after receiving an itemized damage claim. Lawsuits must start within four years after the fire ignites. To recover economic losses, a claimant must prove that a utility's failure to substantially follow its approved plan caused the losses. Alternatively, the claimant must prove that gross negligence, malice, or criminal intent caused the losses. The proof must show that the claim is more likely true than not. Economic losses include property damage, medical expenses, lost business, replacement services, and burial costs. Damages for pain and suffering are available only when the claim involves someone's injury or death. Substantial compliance means the utility reasonably tried to follow its plan. A utility also counts as compliant when denied or unreasonably delayed right-of-way access caused the damage, provided it tried in good faith to comply and reasonably enforced its access rights within a reasonable time. Other utility defenses remain available. These rules cover acts addressed by an approved plan or caused by wildfire, not unrelated non-wildfire conduct.
Customer wildfire charges need state approval
Beginning July 1, 2025, approving a wildfire plan does not automatically let a regulated utility charge customers for it. The utility must separately seek Public Service Commission approval to recover plan costs through rates. The commission uses its normal rate-setting authority to decide. Customer bills can rise if the commission allows recovery; the law sets no dollar amount.
Utility wildfire plans override local barriers
Beginning July 1, 2025, state-approved utility wildfire plans override local land-use rules that block or impede the planned work. This removes local barriers to approved fire prevention measures but limits local control over that work. Existing easements, grants, and shared-facility agreements remain protected. The law does not change the rights, duties, or defenses under those agreements.
Wyoming utilities must plan for wildfires
Beginning July 1, 2025, Wyoming electric utilities must prepare and carry out wildfire prevention plans. City- and town-owned or operated utilities are excluded. Plans must cover high-risk areas, equipment inspections and maintenance, vegetation clearing, equipment improvements, and changes made over the past five years. They must also cover shared facilities, emergency coordination, public outreach, power shutoffs, customer notices, and service restoration. Shutoff plans must balance fire risk, continued service, system reliability, and public safety. Utilities must seek input from forestry officials, firefighters, local governments, conservation districts, and other appropriate fire agencies. Within five business days after filing, utilities must directly notify counties, municipalities, and conservation districts in their Wyoming service areas. Rate-regulated utilities must estimate added costs and possible rate effects. The Public Service Commission must approve a qualifying plan within 120 days, unless it issues an order explaining why more time is needed. Approval requires a reasonable plan that serves the public interest and balances costs against wildfire risk. Utilities must update plans at least every five years, or as ordered. By June 1 of the year after a plan approval year, they must report on prior-year compliance and request a finding of substantial compliance. The commission's rulemaking authority took effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
J.T. Larson
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Elissa Campbell
Republican • House
Martha Lawley
Republican • House
Pam Thayer
Republican • House
Cody Wylie
Republican • House
Eric Barlow
Republican • Senate
Dan Dockstader
Republican • Senate
Stacy Jones
Republican • Senate
Wendy Schuler
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 2/28/2025
S 3rd Reading:Passed 29-0-1-0-1
Yes: 29 • No: 0 • Other: 1
House vote • 2/28/2025
H Concur:Passed 57-0-5-0-0
Yes: 57 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/21/2025
S07 - Corporations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 4-0-1-0-0
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • 2/12/2025
H 3rd Reading:Passed 52-8-2-0-0
Yes: 52 • No: 8
House vote • 2/5/2025
H09 - Minerals:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 8-0-1-0-0
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Assigned Chapter Number 119
3/6/2025Governor Signed HEA No. 0058
3/6/2025GovernorS President Signed HEA No. 0058
3/3/2025SenateH Speaker Signed HEA No. 0058
3/3/2025HouseAssigned Number HEA No. 0058
2/28/2025H Concur:Passed 57-0-5-0-0
2/28/2025HouseH Received for Concurrence
2/28/2025HouseS 3rd Reading:Passed 29-0-1-0-1
2/28/2025SenateS 2nd Reading:Passed
2/27/2025SenateS COW:Passed
2/26/2025SenateS Placed on General File
2/21/2025SenateS07 - Corporations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 4-0-1-0-0
2/21/2025SenateS Introduced and Referred to S07 - Corporations
2/14/2025SenateS Received for Introduction
2/13/2025SenateH 3rd Reading:Passed 52-8-2-0-0
2/12/2025HouseH 2nd Reading:Passed
2/11/2025HouseH COW:Passed
2/10/2025HouseH Placed on General File
2/5/2025HouseH09 - Minerals:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 8-0-1-0-0
2/5/2025HouseH Introduced and Referred to H09 - Minerals
1/21/2025HouseH Received for Introduction
1/16/2025HouseBill Number Assigned
1/15/2025
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
Introduced
Related Bills
SF 104, AN ACT relating to the probate code; amending maximum values for certain proceedings relating to the probate of estates; clarifying the effect of certain disclaimers of property; and providing for an effective date.
HB 62, AN ACT relating to crimes and offenses; amending the crimes of prostitution and solicitation of prostitution to include acts of sexual contact; providing definitions; requiring reports; and providing for an effective date.
SF 95, AN ACT relating to banks, banking and finance; providing for the conversion of special purpose depository institutions into public trust companies; amending capital startup requirements for special purpose depository institutions; amending deposit requirements; repealing requirements limiting depositors of special purpose depository institutions to legal entities and requirements of legal entities as specified; repealing a supervision fee for banks providing digital asset custodial services; providing for unexpended fees; requiring rulemaking; and providing for effective dates.
HB 279, AN ACT relating to property taxation; specifying that if multiple property tax exemptions apply to the same property the exemptions shall be applied in the manner determined by the department of revenue; specifying requirements for the order of application of exemptions; providing an appropriation; and providing for an effective date.
SF 10, AN ACT relating to children; authorizing parents and guardians to enter into binding settlements on behalf of their minor children as specified; specifying limits on parental or guardian settlement authority; amending the value of property that may be delivered on a child's behalf; authorizing the entry of binding settlements on a minor child's behalf as specified; making conforming amendments; providing a cause of action; specifying applicability; and providing for an effective date.
SF 91, AN ACT relating to crimes and offenses and state lands; creating a misdemeanor offense for injury to petroglyphs, pictographs and historic inscriptions; providing penalties; providing for the surveying of petroglyphs and pictographs on state lands; and providing for an effective date.