HB 2281 Summary

• Requires each electric utility in Hawaii to develop and operate in compliance with a risk-based wildfire protection plan that must be filed with and approved by the Public Utilities Commission.

• Each plan must be updated annually and include identification of high-risk wildfire areas, mitigation measures, preventive actions, power line deenergizing protocols, infrastructure inspection procedures, vegetation management standards, implementation costs, community outreach efforts, and development timelines.

• Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to approve plans within 180 days and establish reasonable costs for plan development, implementation, and administration that utilities may recover through customer rates on a statewide basis.

• Shields electric utilities from civil liability for actions taken in accordance with an approved wildfire protection plan or for failing to implement measures that were removed from the final plan by the Commission.

• Shields the State, Public Utilities Commission, and their agents from liability for actions taken in performance of their duties related to wildfire protection plan review and approval.