Two Griffin-Sponsored Bills Signed into Law for Arizona’s Energy Grid and Wildfire Preparedness

Phoenix, Ariz. — Two major pieces of legislation sponsored by State Representative Gail Griffin were signed into law this week, marking significant progress for Arizona’s electric utilities and wildfire mitigation efforts. House Bill 2201 and House Bill 2679 received bipartisan support and backing from local and business leaders across the state.

House Bill 2201: Advancing Wildfire Mitigation and Grid Reliability

Signed into law on Monday, HB2201 introduces new statewide standards for wildfire mitigation planning, particularly in Arizona’s fire-prone rural areas. The law mandates that electric utilities—including investor-owned utilities like Arizona Public Service (APS), public power entities such as Salt River Project (SRP), and larger rural cooperatives—submit wildfire mitigation plans every two years to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.

These plans must include identification of high-risk areas, detailed mitigation strategies, and power shutoff protocols for extreme fire weather. The goal is to reduce the likelihood of utility-related wildfires and to bolster infrastructure resilience.

“HB2201 is forward-looking, responsible policy,” said Representative Griffin, who also chairs the House Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water. “It ensures our grid remains reliable, our communities are safer, and our policies reflect real-world risks and solutions.”

The bill was shaped with input from rural leaders, utility providers, and fire management professionals, many of whom participated in the first meeting of the House Ad Hoc Committee on Fire Preparedness, chaired by Representative David Marshall. Rural mayors and local council members, particularly from Arizona’s White Mountain communities, strongly supported the measure.

In addition to its planning requirements, the law also offers legal protections for utilities that comply with approved mitigation plans, limiting liability exposure from wildfire-related incidents. Proponents say that these protections help stabilize utility finances and shield consumers from potential rate hikes stemming from lawsuits—a problem seen in wildfire-prone states like California.

House Bill 2679: Lowering Energy Costs Through Securitization

The second measure, HB2679, was signed into law Tuesday. The legislation enables Arizona utilities to use “securitization,” a financial tool that allows for the refinancing of older utility investments at lower interest rates. The goal is to cut energy costs for customers and provide utilities with capital to reinvest in modern energy infrastructure and grid upgrades.

“By leveraging innovative financing tools, Arizona’s investor-owned utilities like APS and TEP, and public power entities like SRP, AEPCO, and rural electric cooperatives, can lower consumer costs and free up capital to invest in new energy generating resources and grid upgrades,” said Representative Griffin. “It’s a smart, forward-looking way to ensure Arizona’s utilities can keep up with rising demand.”

Support for HB2679 extended across party lines and included endorsements from the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, Greater Phoenix Chamber, and Arizona Manufacturers Council. The legislation also includes regulatory oversight and customer protection provisions to ensure transparency and accountability.

Under the new law, utilities can retire outdated infrastructure and issue bonds backed by a dedicated revenue stream, rather than resorting to traditional debt or rate increases. This provides financial relief to consumers while allowing utilities to transition more efficiently to modern energy systems.

The new laws reflect broader legislative goals to modernize Arizona’s energy infrastructure while addressing environmental and economic challenges.

Supporters view the bills as essential steps toward energy security and wildfire prevention.

Both HB2201 and HB2679 take effect later this year, setting in motion new regulatory frameworks for utilities, fire management agencies, and public oversight bodies.