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Minutes for HB2107 - Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications
Short Title
Providing for claims to recover damages from fire events caused by electric public utilities, specifying recovery for such damages and requiring the state corporation commission to provide trainings on wildfire risk and mitigation.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 11, 2025
Chairman Delperdang opened the hearing on HB2107.
Nick Myers, Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of the bill.(Attachment1) Mr. Myers responded to questions from committee members.
Chairman recognized Chuck Caisley, Evergy (Attachment2) as a proponent in person testimony.
Mr. Caisley explained the bill was short and straightforward addressing electric utilities with respect to Kansas wildfire risk, mitigation and liability. He added utilities need predictable legal standards to ensure continued investment in infrastructure and capping punitive damages reduces financial risk and ensures stable electricity to consumers
A period of questions and answers from the committee members followed.
Chair ask audience if anyone else would like to speak as an proponent.
Eric Stafford, Kansas Chamber spoke as a proponent on the bill. (Attachment3)
Proponent written only testimony as follows:
Reagan McCloud, Kansas Cooperatives, Inc.(Attachment4)
Mike Morley, Midwest Energy, Inc. (Attachment5)
Chairman Delperdang recognized Claudia Hissong, Kansas Farm Bureau (Attachment6) and Jackie Garagiola, Kansas Livestock Association (Attachment7) who both provided opponent testimony with concerns the bill could limit property owners ability to fully recover damages, both groups opposed Section D but indicated they could move to neutral if that section were removed or modified.
There were no additional opponent testimony.
Chair recognized Paul Snider, Kansans for Lower Electric Rates (Attachment8) who provided neutral testimony on the bill.
Mr. Snider added Kansans for Lower Electric Rates and Kansas Industrial Consumers Group agreed with the intent of the bill, which controls potential costs for Evergy and its customers.
Neutral written only testimony as follows:
Justin Grady, Kansas Corporation Commission (Attachment9)
The conferees responded to questions from the committee members.
Chairman asked committee if there were further questions.
Chair closed the hearing on HB2107.
