SB-491
Energy & Environment

State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission: chair: report to the Legislature.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Requires the Energy Commission chair to provide annual reports to legislative committees on commission activities.
  • Mandates reporting on six key energy areas including renewable standards and building efficiency.
  • Establishes new requirements for documenting public input from diverse regions across California.
  • Requires the chair to report on both successes and challenges in implementing energy initiatives.

Summary

Senator Laird's proposal to amend California's Public Resources Code would require the chair of the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to deliver annual reports to legislative policy committees detailing the commission's activities and planning.

The legislation establishes specific reporting requirements across six key areas of commission oversight: research and development initiatives, building and appliance efficiency standards, energy demand forecasting, thermal powerplant siting, renewable portfolio implementation, and alternative transportation. The chair must outline both previous year activities and future planning for each domain, while documenting the commission's public engagement efforts across California's diverse regions. The annual report would also include an assessment of successes and challenges encountered in executing the commission's responsibilities.

This amendment builds upon existing law that tasks the commission chair with directing staff activities according to established policies. The new reporting framework creates a formal mechanism for regular legislative oversight of the five-member commission's work in energy resource conservation and development throughout the state.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB491 Laird et al
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 [Appropriations]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Susan RubioD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 17 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Susan RubioD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission: chair: report to the Legislature.
February 2019
Failed
State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission: chair: report to the Legislature.
February 2017
Failed
Showing 2 of 2 items
Page 1 of 1

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

John Laird
John LairdD
California State Senator
Co-Author
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 (5/27/2025)

Latest Voting History

June 25, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
180018PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Requires the Energy Commission chair to provide annual reports to legislative committees on commission activities.
  • Mandates reporting on six key energy areas including renewable standards and building efficiency.
  • Establishes new requirements for documenting public input from diverse regions across California.
  • Requires the chair to report on both successes and challenges in implementing energy initiatives.

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

John Laird
John LairdD
California State Senator
Co-Author
Susan Rubio
Susan RubioD
California State Senator

Summary

Senator Laird's proposal to amend California's Public Resources Code would require the chair of the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to deliver annual reports to legislative policy committees detailing the commission's activities and planning.

The legislation establishes specific reporting requirements across six key areas of commission oversight: research and development initiatives, building and appliance efficiency standards, energy demand forecasting, thermal powerplant siting, renewable portfolio implementation, and alternative transportation. The chair must outline both previous year activities and future planning for each domain, while documenting the commission's public engagement efforts across California's diverse regions. The annual report would also include an assessment of successes and challenges encountered in executing the commission's responsibilities.

This amendment builds upon existing law that tasks the commission chair with directing staff activities according to established policies. The new reporting framework creates a formal mechanism for regular legislative oversight of the five-member commission's work in energy resource conservation and development throughout the state.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/27/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB491 Laird et al
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 [Appropriations]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Latest Voting History

June 25, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
180018PASS

Contacts

Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Susan RubioD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 17 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Susan RubioD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
John LairdD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Similar Past Legislation

Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission: chair: report to the Legislature.
February 2019
Failed
State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission: chair: report to the Legislature.
February 2017
Failed
Showing 2 of 2 items
Page 1 of 1