Relating to risk mitigation planning and associated liability for providers of electric service.

SB 2025 requires electric utilities, cooperatives, and municipally owned utilities operating in designated wildfire risk areas to submit detailed wildfire mitigation plans to the Public Utility Commission. These plans must include vegetation management, facility inspection procedures, wildfire response protocols, and community outreach strategies. The bill allows utilities to self-insure against certain wildfire-related liabilities (like property damage or personal injury) if approved by the Commission, provided it's cost-effective or commercial insurance is unavailable. Utilities that follow an approved mitigation plan are shielded from liability for wildfires caused by their facilities, unless they acted intentionally, recklessly, or with gross negligence. The Commission must review and approve these plans within 60 days.