SB-593
Consumer Protection

Voltage changes: consumer protection: study and report.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Requires utilities to report voltage-related incidents that damage customer equipment and their associated claims.
  • Mandates a comprehensive study of voltage-related service problems and consumer protections by July 2026.
  • Requires explanations for voltage-related investigations that remain open longer than 12 months.
  • Evaluates utility responses to voltage incidents affecting vulnerable and limited-English-speaking customers.

Summary

Senator Hurtado's voltage protection legislation directs the California Public Utilities Commission to expand its oversight of electrical service disruptions through enhanced reporting requirements and a comprehensive study of voltage-related incidents affecting utility customers.

The bill modifies existing annual reporting mandates to include detailed tracking of voltage incidents that damage customer equipment. Reports must specify the number of incidents causing significant equipment damage, claims submitted by affected customers, and the total value of resolved claims. For investigations remaining open 12 months or longer after a claim is filed, the Commission must explain the extended timeline.

A centerpiece of the legislation requires the Commission to conduct a wide-ranging study by July 2026 examining voltage-related service problems across utility territories. The study must analyze the frequency and geographic distribution of significant voltage changes, evaluate impacts across residential, commercial and industrial customers, and assess utility companies' claim procedures and response protocols. The Commission must pay particular attention to whether current consumer protections adequately serve limited English proficiency, low-income, and medically vulnerable populations. Findings and recommendations from the study are due to the Legislature by July 2027.

The bill classifies violations of Commission directives implementing these requirements as criminal offenses under existing utility regulations. While this creates a state-mandated local program, the legislation specifies that no state reimbursement is required for associated local costs.

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 as amended, 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 SB593 Hurtado
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 [Judiciary]
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
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
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

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Melissa Hurtado
Melissa HurtadoD
California State Senator
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/29/2025)

Latest Voting History

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

Key Takeaways

  • Requires utilities to report voltage-related incidents that damage customer equipment and their associated claims.
  • Mandates a comprehensive study of voltage-related service problems and consumer protections by July 2026.
  • Requires explanations for voltage-related investigations that remain open longer than 12 months.
  • Evaluates utility responses to voltage incidents affecting vulnerable and limited-English-speaking customers.

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

Melissa Hurtado
Melissa HurtadoD
California State Senator

Summary

Senator Hurtado's voltage protection legislation directs the California Public Utilities Commission to expand its oversight of electrical service disruptions through enhanced reporting requirements and a comprehensive study of voltage-related incidents affecting utility customers.

The bill modifies existing annual reporting mandates to include detailed tracking of voltage incidents that damage customer equipment. Reports must specify the number of incidents causing significant equipment damage, claims submitted by affected customers, and the total value of resolved claims. For investigations remaining open 12 months or longer after a claim is filed, the Commission must explain the extended timeline.

A centerpiece of the legislation requires the Commission to conduct a wide-ranging study by July 2026 examining voltage-related service problems across utility territories. The study must analyze the frequency and geographic distribution of significant voltage changes, evaluate impacts across residential, commercial and industrial customers, and assess utility companies' claim procedures and response protocols. The Commission must pay particular attention to whether current consumer protections adequately serve limited English proficiency, low-income, and medically vulnerable populations. Findings and recommendations from the study are due to the Legislature by July 2027.

The bill classifies violations of Commission directives implementing these requirements as criminal offenses under existing utility regulations. While this creates a state-mandated local program, the legislation specifies that no state reimbursement is required for associated local costs.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/29/2025)

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 as amended, 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 SB593 Hurtado
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 [Judiciary]
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
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
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