Electrical corporations: connections: affordable housing projects.

Assembly Member Ortega's legislation mandates electrical corporations to connect affordable housing projects to the distribution grid within 60 days once buildings are ready for service, addressing delays that have left completed units vacant while awaiting power connections. The measure applies to projects that have received California Tax Credit Allocation Committee funding approval and have completed all necessary inspections and permits.

The bill creates consequences for utilities that miss connection deadlines by delaying Public Utilities Commission-approved rate increases. These delays would last for either the time beyond 90 days taken to provide a final connection contract or the time exceeding the 60-day connection requirement for the most recent affordable housing project - whichever period is longer. The Commission must also expedite reviews of projects that remain unconnected after the 60-day window.

These provisions would remain in effect through January 1, 2029, allowing time to evaluate their impact on connection timelines. The bill classifies violations of these requirements as crimes under the Public Utilities Act, though it specifies that no state reimbursement to local agencies is required for enforcement costs.