SB 256, as amended, enhances wildfire mitigation, undergrounding efforts, and emergency coordination by electrical corporations, cooperatives, and publicly owned utilities. The bill requires wildfire mitigation plans to address low-risk areas, identify lapses in emergency communication, and improve collaboration with local governments. It mandates annual wildfire preparedness workshops with local fire departments to update and gather input on mitigation plans. Additionally, it requires all electrical corporations to participate in the expedited utility distribution infrastructure undergrounding program and ties participation to safety certifications, while setting caps on returns for undergrounding investments to reduce long-term customer costs.

The bill also strengthens emergency operations coordination by requiring utilities whose service areas overlap with state regional emergency centers to assign trained representatives to those centers. It directs utilities to work with the Office of Emergency Services to establish better notification systems for Public Safety Power Shutoffs, ensuring alerts reach both customers and noncustomers through the Emergency Alert System. The new requirements aim to provide timely restoration information and allow recipients to opt out of future alerts, while ensuring improved preparedness and communication during emergencies.