HI SB2997

Creates a new Part in Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, establishing requirements for electric utilities to develop, implement, and maintain risk-based wildfire protection plans subject to Public Utilities Commission (PUC) review and approval.

Each wildfire protection plan must include at minimum 22 specified components, including risk identification, mitigation strategies, vegetation management procedures, power line deenergization protocols, workforce preparedness, cost estimates, and community outreach efforts.

Requires the PUC to evaluate and approve or approve with conditions each utility's wildfire protection plan within 180 days of initial filing, with utilities required to update plans on a PUC-determined schedule.

Mandates electric utilities report to the PUC all wildfires potentially caused by their operations, those that destroyed significant utility equipment, or resulted in loss of life; establishes that such reporting is not admissible as evidence of causation in legal proceedings.

Imposes civil penalties on utilities that fail to comply with approved wildfire protection plans, with penalties deposited into the PUC special fund; effective July 1, 3000.