Utilities: service outages and updates: alerts.

Assembly Member Garcia's proposal would require California utilities to automatically enroll customers in service outage alerts by March 2026, while preserving customers' ability to opt out of non-emergency notifications. The measure applies to electrical corporations, gas corporations, water corporations, and local publicly owned electric utilities throughout the state.

Under the bill's provisions, utilities must provide annual billing information explaining how customers can update their contact preferences. Customers would be able to modify their contact information through the utility's website or by phone. While customers may decline most notifications, they cannot opt out of emergency and safety alerts.

The measure builds upon existing Public Utilities Commission oversight of utility companies, adding specific requirements for customer communications while maintaining current regulatory authority. As violations of Commission requirements constitute crimes under state law, the bill would create new enforcement mechanisms through the criminal code. Local agencies would not receive state reimbursement for implementation costs, as they retain authority to assess fees covering any new expenses.