Bill > AB61

This bill requires the Public Advocate's Office of the Public Utilities Commission to establish a program by January 1, 2027, to analyze legislation that would create new mandated programs or requirements affecting electrical or gas ratepayers upon request from legislative leaders. The analysis must comprehensively examine potential impacts, including utility rate increases, benefits to different ratepayer categories, consistency with climate change policies, effects on jobs and disadvantaged communities, cost-effectiveness, and potential alternative funding sources. The bill mandates that the office develop conflict-of-interest provisions to prevent individuals with material financial interests from participating in the analysis, and requires the analysis to be based on the best available data. The state will indemnify the office and its staff for any claims arising from these analyses. The program is designed to help the Legislature carefully consider the costs and benefits of proposed utility-related mandates before enacting them, with a focus on promoting affordable utility rates while addressing critical climate issues. The provisions will automatically expire on January 1, 2032, effectively creating a five-year pilot program to assess the utility of such third-party legislative reviews.

Budget and Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB61