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    AB-61
    Energy & Environment

    Electricity and natural gas: legislation imposing mandated programs and requirements: third-party review.

    Engrossed
    CA
    ∙
    2025-2026 Regular Session
    0
    0
    Track
    Track

    Key Takeaways

    • Establishes a new program to analyze how proposed utility legislation would impact California ratepayer costs.
    • Requires the Public Advocate's Office to evaluate utility legislation's effects on rates by January 2027.
    • Mandates analysis of alternative funding sources beyond ratepayer fees for new utility programs.
    • Prohibits individuals with financial conflicts from participating in legislative reviews.

    Summary

    Assembly Member Pacheco's proposal to establish a systematic review process for utility-related legislation would require the Public Advocate's Office to analyze how proposed mandates affect California's electrical and gas ratepayers. The office would evaluate legislation's impact on utility rates, service reliability, and alignment with state climate goals upon request from legislative leadership or committee chairs.

    The bill directs the Public Advocate's Office to examine multiple factors in its analyses, including costs to different ratepayer categories, tangible benefits for safe and reliable service delivery, and impacts on disadvantaged communities. The office must also assess whether proposed programs align with existing climate initiatives and explore alternative funding sources beyond ratepayer fees. To maintain objectivity, the office would implement conflict-of-interest provisions preventing individuals with material financial interests from participating in relevant analyses.

    The program would operate from January 2027 through January 2032, with the state providing liability protection for the office and its partners conducting these analyses. The Public Advocate's Office would use available data to evaluate proposed legislation's effects on utility rates, jobs, environmental quality, and public health, while considering whether alternative approaches could achieve similar outcomes more cost-effectively.

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Placed on suspense file
    Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Hearing
    Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 61 Pacheco Assembly Third Reading
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass
    Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
    Do pass as amended, 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
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Blanca RubioD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Susan RubioD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 12 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 3
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Blanca RubioD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Susan RubioD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Blanca PachecoD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Aisha WahabD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Greg WallisR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Rhodesia RansomD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Christopher CabaldonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laura RichardsonD
    Senator
    Committee Member

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

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

    Introduced By

    Blanca Pacheco
    Blanca PachecoD
    California State Assembly Member
    Co-Authors
    Greg Wallis
    Greg WallisR
    California State Assembly Member
    Rhodesia Ransom
    Rhodesia RansomD
    California State Assembly Member
    Blanca Rubio
    Blanca RubioD
    California State Assembly Member
    Susan Rubio
    Susan RubioD
    California State Senator
    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    August 18, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    7007PASS

    Key Takeaways

    • Establishes a new program to analyze how proposed utility legislation would impact California ratepayer costs.
    • Requires the Public Advocate's Office to evaluate utility legislation's effects on rates by January 2027.
    • Mandates analysis of alternative funding sources beyond ratepayer fees for new utility programs.
    • Prohibits individuals with financial conflicts from participating in legislative reviews.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

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

    Introduced By

    Blanca Pacheco
    Blanca PachecoD
    California State Assembly Member
    Co-Authors
    Greg Wallis
    Greg WallisR
    California State Assembly Member
    Rhodesia Ransom
    Rhodesia RansomD
    California State Assembly Member
    Blanca Rubio
    Blanca RubioD
    California State Assembly Member
    Susan Rubio
    Susan RubioD
    California State Senator

    Summary

    Assembly Member Pacheco's proposal to establish a systematic review process for utility-related legislation would require the Public Advocate's Office to analyze how proposed mandates affect California's electrical and gas ratepayers. The office would evaluate legislation's impact on utility rates, service reliability, and alignment with state climate goals upon request from legislative leadership or committee chairs.

    The bill directs the Public Advocate's Office to examine multiple factors in its analyses, including costs to different ratepayer categories, tangible benefits for safe and reliable service delivery, and impacts on disadvantaged communities. The office must also assess whether proposed programs align with existing climate initiatives and explore alternative funding sources beyond ratepayer fees. To maintain objectivity, the office would implement conflict-of-interest provisions preventing individuals with material financial interests from participating in relevant analyses.

    The program would operate from January 2027 through January 2032, with the state providing liability protection for the office and its partners conducting these analyses. The Public Advocate's Office would use available data to evaluate proposed legislation's effects on utility rates, jobs, environmental quality, and public health, while considering whether alternative approaches could achieve similar outcomes more cost-effectively.

    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Placed on suspense file
    Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Hearing
    Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 61 Pacheco Assembly Third Reading
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass
    Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
    Do pass as amended, 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

    View History
    August 18, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    7007PASS

    Contacts

    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Blanca RubioD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Susan RubioD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 12 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 3
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Blanca RubioD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Susan RubioD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Blanca PachecoD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Aisha WahabD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Greg WallisR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Rhodesia RansomD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Christopher CabaldonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laura RichardsonD
    Senator
    Committee Member