Assembly Member Gallagher's proposal to mandate a 30% reduction in electricity rates would fundamentally alter California's utility rate structure by requiring the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to lower kilowatt-per-hour charges for all ratepayers. The measure adds a new section to the Public Utilities Code that directs the PUC to implement this rate reduction across its regulated electrical utilities.

Under current law, the PUC has discretionary authority to set electricity rates it determines to be just and reasonable. This bill would constrain that discretion by establishing a specific minimum reduction requirement. The PUC would need to modify its rate-setting procedures and work with utilities to achieve the mandated decrease while maintaining service reliability.

The measure creates oversight responsibilities for the state's Fiscal Committee, though it does not require direct state appropriations. Electric utilities operating under PUC jurisdiction would need to adjust their revenue models and operational budgets to accommodate the reduced rates, while ratepayers would see their electricity costs decrease by at least 30% once implemented. The bill does not specify a timeline for achieving the reduction or detail enforcement mechanisms beyond the PUC's existing regulatory authority.