LC 224 Legislature · 2025 Regular Session

Revise civil liability laws

This bill revises Montana's civil liability laws to protect electric facilities providers from lawsuits related to wildfires caused by their equipment or operations. It allows regulated utilities, electric cooperatives, and municipal utilities to submit approved wildfire mitigation plans that outline their risk management strategies, including vegetation management, equipment upgrades, and power line de-energizing procedures. If a provider submits and maintains an approved plan, they are shielded from civil liability for wildfire injuries or damages, provided they follow the plan's requirements. The Public Service Commission gains authority to create rules governing these mitigation plans, and the legislation includes specific definitions for key terms like "electric facilities provider" and "wildfire."
Bill status introduced 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Sep 11, 2024 Last action Feb 12, 2025
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