CSSB 193(RES) am - Electric Utility Liability for Vegetation Contact

• Electric utilities holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity are generally protected from civil liability for property damage, death, or personal injury caused by vegetation contacting their facilities.

• Utilities remain liable if vegetation located within their property boundaries contacts facilities and the utility did not have or failed to comply with a vegetation management plan.

• Utilities remain liable if they caused vegetation outside their property boundaries to enter their property and contact their facilities.

• Utilities remain liable for private property damage resulting from fires caused by vegetation contacting their facilities, regardless of other liability protections.

• The act applies only to civil lawsuits against electric utilities filed on or after the effective date of the legislation.