Definitions

Terms used in this chapter mean: (1) "Approval authority," in the case of an electric cooperative, its board of directors, or in the case of a municipal utility, its city council or city commission, as the case may be; (2) "Commission," the Public Utilities Commission of the State of South Dakota; (3) "Economic loss," monetary loss, including losses resulting from medical expenses, business interruption, loss of business, loss of use of property, and loss due to death and burial costs; (4) "Qualified utility," includes: (a) Any electric utility defined in subdivision 49-34A-1 (7); and (b) Any person who is a wholesale generator of electricity and who operates electrical transmission; (5) "Wildfire," an unplanned, unwanted fire burning in this state that: (a) May impact, damage, or cause harm, including to natural resources, agricultural resources, homes, and property; or (b) Threatens lives and safety; and (6) "Wildfire mitigation plan," a plan submitted to and approved by the approval authority or published by the commission in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. Source: SL 2026, ch 189, § 1.