House Bill No. 490 seeks to enhance wildfire safety in Montana by requiring electric facilities providers to develop and implement a wildfire mitigation plan, which must be submitted for approval and updated every three years. The bill outlines specific components that these plans must include, such as risk assessments, vegetation management strategies, and community outreach efforts. It also provides civil liability protections for providers that substantially adhere to their approved plans, shielding them from strict liability for damages related to wildfires. Additionally, the bill revises the standard of care for these providers, establishing that they can only be held liable for wildfire-related injuries or damages if they fail to meet the expected degree of care.

The legislation further includes provisions for notifying tribal governments by mandating the Secretary of State to send a copy of the act to each federally recognized tribal government in Montana. It specifies that the new regulations will be codified as a new part in Title 69, chapter 2, and includes a severability clause to maintain the validity of the remaining provisions if any part of the act is found invalid. The act is designed to take effect immediately upon passage and approval, thereby ensuring prompt implementation of wildfire mitigation measures.