RURAL ELECTRIC CO-OP WILDFIRE LIABILITY ACT

HB 334, the "Rural Electric Co-op Wildfire Liability Act," requires New Mexico's rural electric cooperatives to create and maintain detailed wildfire prevention plans. These plans must cover risk assessments, vegetation management, system inspections, emergency procedures, and public safety considerations, and must be reviewed by the Forestry Division and approved by the Public Regulation Commission. If approved, the cooperative can limit liability for wildfire-related damages (including economic and noneconomic losses) and claims must be filed within two years. The law also mandates public posting of the plans and annual compliance reports on the cooperatives' websites.