AB 2556 Summary

• Requires electrical corporations and local publicly owned electric utilities to avoid excessive tree trimming that threatens tree health and implement good forestry practices while maintaining compliance with fire protection clearance requirements.

• Prohibits tree removal unless the tree is dead, rotten, or diseased and meets specified criteria related to fire protection or risk to electrical lines, requiring written confirmation from a licensed arborist before removal.

• Requires utilities to annually provide vegetation management plans to affected local governments and publish plans on their websites, plus notify property owners prior to conducting vegetation management activities.

• Applies requirements to both electrical corporations regulated by the Public Utilities Commission and local publicly owned electric utilities under their governing boards' direction.

• Exempts local agencies from state reimbursement requirements because they have authority to levy service charges, fees, or assessments to fund the mandated vegetation management program.