AB-734
Energy & Environment

Environmental protection: biological resources data: State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission: powerplants: power lines: applications.

Enrolled
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Requires public disclosure of biological data submitted in power plant certification applications.
  • Mandates the Department of Fish and Wildlife to review sensitive species location data before public release.
  • Establishes safeguards to protect endangered species by limiting disclosure of certain habitat information.

Summary

Assembly Member Schultz's environmental protection measure establishes new requirements for public access to biological data submitted during power facility certification proceedings before the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission. The legislation mandates that biological resources information - including species observations, habitat surveys, and scientific studies - be made available on the commission's public docket during the certification process for powerplants and transmission lines.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife maintains oversight authority to protect sensitive species information. When biological data includes location details from the California Natural Diversity Database that could pose risks to vulnerable species, the department may issue a written determination specifying which portions can be safely disclosed. The commission must then release only the approved data segments while maintaining confidentiality for sensitive location information.

These transparency provisions apply to all facility certification applications, including those seeking small powerplant exemptions for thermal facilities under 100 megawatts and eligible solar or wind projects over 50 megawatts. The measure creates a standardized process for managing biological resource data across different types of energy infrastructure proposals while incorporating safeguards for protected species.

Key Dates

Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Assembly 3rd Reading AB734 Schultz et al. By Allen
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Natural Resources and Water]
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 734 Schultz Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 2 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 1
Select All Legislators
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Bill Author

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Nick Schultz
Nick SchultzD
California State Assembly Member
Co-Author
Jessica Caloza
Jessica CalozaD
California State Assembly Member
70% progression
Bill has passed both houses in identical form and is being prepared for the Governor (9/3/2025)

Latest Voting History

September 3, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
319040PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Requires public disclosure of biological data submitted in power plant certification applications.
  • Mandates the Department of Fish and Wildlife to review sensitive species location data before public release.
  • Establishes safeguards to protect endangered species by limiting disclosure of certain habitat information.

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Nick Schultz
Nick SchultzD
California State Assembly Member
Co-Author
Jessica Caloza
Jessica CalozaD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Schultz's environmental protection measure establishes new requirements for public access to biological data submitted during power facility certification proceedings before the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission. The legislation mandates that biological resources information - including species observations, habitat surveys, and scientific studies - be made available on the commission's public docket during the certification process for powerplants and transmission lines.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife maintains oversight authority to protect sensitive species information. When biological data includes location details from the California Natural Diversity Database that could pose risks to vulnerable species, the department may issue a written determination specifying which portions can be safely disclosed. The commission must then release only the approved data segments while maintaining confidentiality for sensitive location information.

These transparency provisions apply to all facility certification applications, including those seeking small powerplant exemptions for thermal facilities under 100 megawatts and eligible solar or wind projects over 50 megawatts. The measure creates a standardized process for managing biological resource data across different types of energy infrastructure proposals while incorporating safeguards for protected species.

70% progression
Bill has passed both houses in identical form and is being prepared for the Governor (9/3/2025)

Key Dates

Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Assembly 3rd Reading AB734 Schultz et al. By Allen
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Natural Resources and Water Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Natural Resources and Water]
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AB 734 Schultz Assembly Third Reading
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Water, Parks, And Wildlife Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Assembly Floor
Introduced
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

September 3, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
319040PASS

Contacts

Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 2 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 1
Select All Legislators
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Nick SchultzD
Assemblymember
Bill Author