The "Wildfire Utility Mitigation and Liability Act" aims to strengthen wildfire mitigation efforts by electric utilities in New Mexico. It requires utilities to develop and submit wildfire mitigation plans to the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) for approval, detailing risk assessments, vegetation management, and emergency response procedures. The bill mandates annual compliance reports to ensure adherence to these plans and allows utilities to recover costs associated with wildfire mitigation through a cost recovery rider. Additionally, it introduces limitations on liability for utilities in qualified wildfire civil actions, establishing a rebuttable presumption that compliance with an approved mitigation plan indicates reasonable preparation for wildfire risks, while also capping economic and noneconomic damages.

The legislation also includes provisions for grants to cooperatives to support the implementation of mitigation plans and establishes a four-year statute of limitations for civil actions related to wildfires against electric utilities operating under an approved plan. It appropriates $12.25 million from the general fund for various purposes, including equipment purchases and grants for cooperative nonprofit membership corporations. The bill adds a new section allowing the commission to create necessary rules for its implementation and sets effective dates for different sections, with some provisions taking effect on July 1, 2026, and others on January 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 30-32-4, 37-1-4