AB-286
Energy & Environment

Electricity: mandatory rate reduction.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Requires the Public Utilities Commission to recommend plans for reducing electricity rates by 30% by January 2027.
  • Mandates a comprehensive review of public purpose programs to identify cost-saving opportunities.
  • Requires audits of electrical utilities' wildfire mitigation costs to ensure reasonable spending.
  • Establishes evaluation criteria for existing energy programs to eliminate or reform ineffective initiatives.

Summary

Assembly Member Gallagher's electricity rate reduction proposal directs the California Public Utilities Commission to develop recommendations for lowering consumer electricity rates by at least 30% before January 1, 2027. The commission must generate a comprehensive report outlining specific measures to achieve these reductions.

The legislation requires the commission to undertake several analytical steps in formulating its recommendations. These include reviewing public purpose programs for cost-effectiveness, examining climate credit provisions in accordance with Executive Order N-5-24, and auditing electrical corporations' claimed costs for wildfire mitigation plans. The commission must also evaluate programs referenced in Table A-2 of its February 2025 executive order response, with direction to eliminate, reform, or refer ineffective programs to the Legislature.

This measure builds upon the commission's existing regulatory authority over electrical corporations and rate-setting responsibilities. While the bill mandates development of reduction recommendations, implementation of any proposed changes would require subsequent regulatory or legislative action. The commission maintains discretion in how to achieve the targeted decreases while fulfilling its obligation to ensure rates remain just and reasonable under current law.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

James Gallagher
James GallagherR
California State Assembly Member
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (1/22/2025)

Latest Voting History

April 30, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
180018PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Requires the Public Utilities Commission to recommend plans for reducing electricity rates by 30% by January 2027.
  • Mandates a comprehensive review of public purpose programs to identify cost-saving opportunities.
  • Requires audits of electrical utilities' wildfire mitigation costs to ensure reasonable spending.
  • Establishes evaluation criteria for existing energy programs to eliminate or reform ineffective initiatives.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

James Gallagher
James GallagherR
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Gallagher's electricity rate reduction proposal directs the California Public Utilities Commission to develop recommendations for lowering consumer electricity rates by at least 30% before January 1, 2027. The commission must generate a comprehensive report outlining specific measures to achieve these reductions.

The legislation requires the commission to undertake several analytical steps in formulating its recommendations. These include reviewing public purpose programs for cost-effectiveness, examining climate credit provisions in accordance with Executive Order N-5-24, and auditing electrical corporations' claimed costs for wildfire mitigation plans. The commission must also evaluate programs referenced in Table A-2 of its February 2025 executive order response, with direction to eliminate, reform, or refer ineffective programs to the Legislature.

This measure builds upon the commission's existing regulatory authority over electrical corporations and rate-setting responsibilities. While the bill mandates development of reduction recommendations, implementation of any proposed changes would require subsequent regulatory or legislative action. The commission maintains discretion in how to achieve the targeted decreases while fulfilling its obligation to ensure rates remain just and reasonable under current law.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (1/22/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

April 30, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
180018PASS

Contacts

Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member