Terms used in this chapter mean:

1. (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. (2) "Commission," the Public Utilities Commission of the State of South Dakota;
3. (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. (4) "Qualified utility," includes:

   1. (a) Any electric utility defined in subdivision 49-34A-1(7); and
   2. (b) Any person who is a wholesale generator of electricity and who operates electrical transmission;

5. (5) "Wildfire," an unplanned, unwanted fire burning in this state that:

   1. (a) May impact, damage, or cause harm, including to natural resources, agricultural resources, homes, and property; or
   2. (b) Threatens lives and safety; and
6. (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.