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

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.