Energy: building decarbonization: notice and recordation of a decarbonization charge.

Assembly Member Quirk-Silva's legislation expands California's building decarbonization program by requiring gas corporations to participate in the state's system for recording and tracking property-based clean energy upgrades. The bill adds gas utilities to the existing framework that mandates energy suppliers to document decarbonization charges with county recorders when funding building improvements that reduce carbon emissions.

Under the amended provisions, gas corporations must record notices within 30 days of funding upgrades that measurably reduce natural gas consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions. These notices must detail the property location, charge amount, upgrade specifications, and payment terms. The requirements mirror existing obligations for electric utilities, community choice aggregators, and other energy providers who fund decarbonization improvements. Property owners must incorporate these charges into lease agreements for non-owner-occupied buildings, with the payment obligations transferring to subsequent utility customers at that location.

The legislation maintains the current requirement for energy suppliers to file notices when charges are fully paid off or collection ceases. County recorders must index these documents by property owner name to ensure the information is accessible to future buyers and renters. The bill classifies violations of these requirements as criminal offenses under the Public Utilities Commission's enforcement authority, while specifying that the recorded charges themselves do not constitute debt collection actions.