Signed by Governor Jerry Brown, Jr.

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires utilities to file wildfire mitigation plans.

Highlights:

• Requires a publicly owned utility to prepare a wildfire mitigation plan before January 1, 2020 that considers the following criteria, including, but not limited to (Sec. 42):

• The objectives of the mitigation plan;

• A description of preventative strategies to minimize the risk of wildfires; and

• A list that identifies and describes all wildfire risks.

• Prohibits a utility from recovering expenses for compensation from ratepayers (Sec. 29).

• Requires the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to determine the maximum amount a utility can pay for wildfire-related costs based on financial status (Sec. 26).

• Authorizes the CPUC to allocate to ratepayers the recovery costs requested by a utility (Sec. 32).

• Authorizes the CPUC to issue recovery bonds to finance wildfire-related costs (Sec. 32).

Full Bill Text