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    SB-797
    Energy & Environment

    Electric utility distribution and transmission system facilities: undergrounding and insulation.

    Introduced
    CA
    ∙
    2025-2026 Regular Session
    0
    0
    Track
    Track

    Key Takeaways

    • Establishes a state working group to study costs of undergrounding electric utility lines to prevent wildfires.
    • Requires submission of a comprehensive wildfire prevention investment plan to the Legislature by July 2027.
    • Focuses on protecting high-risk fire zones through improved electrical infrastructure.
    • Expires automatically on January 1, 2031 unless renewed by the Legislature.

    Summary

    Senator Choi's proposal directs the Public Utilities Commission to examine options for protecting electrical infrastructure from wildfires through a comprehensive study of undergrounding and insulating utility transmission lines. The legislation establishes a working group to analyze costs, compile existing wildfire mitigation reports, and develop an investment strategy for high-risk areas by July 2027.

    The working group would focus on three categories of vulnerable locations: very high fire hazard severity zones, Wildland Urban Interface Fire Areas, and state forests. Their analysis must evaluate both the direct costs of infrastructure modifications and potential alternative approaches to support electrical corporations in preventing fires. The resulting investment plan, due to the Legislature by mid-2027, would outline specific recommendations for protecting utility facilities in these designated high-risk regions.

    The bill creates a temporary mandate that expires in January 2031, providing a defined timeline for the Commission to complete its assessment and implementation planning while maintaining existing regulatory frameworks. The working group's findings would inform future policy decisions about infrastructure investments and wildfire prevention strategies across California's electrical grid system.

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Placed on suspense file
    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 [Appropriations]
    Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Energy, Utilities and Communications]
    Introduced
    Senate Floor
    Introduced
    Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Steven ChoiR
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 8 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 2
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Steven ChoiR
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Aisha WahabD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Christopher CabaldonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laura RichardsonD
    Senator
    Committee Member

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

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

    Introduced By

    Steven Choi
    Steven ChoiR
    California State Senator
    10% progression
    Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    May 19, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    5027PASS

    Key Takeaways

    • Establishes a state working group to study costs of undergrounding electric utility lines to prevent wildfires.
    • Requires submission of a comprehensive wildfire prevention investment plan to the Legislature by July 2027.
    • Focuses on protecting high-risk fire zones through improved electrical infrastructure.
    • Expires automatically on January 1, 2031 unless renewed by the Legislature.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

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

    Introduced By

    Steven Choi
    Steven ChoiR
    California State Senator

    Summary

    Senator Choi's proposal directs the Public Utilities Commission to examine options for protecting electrical infrastructure from wildfires through a comprehensive study of undergrounding and insulating utility transmission lines. The legislation establishes a working group to analyze costs, compile existing wildfire mitigation reports, and develop an investment strategy for high-risk areas by July 2027.

    The working group would focus on three categories of vulnerable locations: very high fire hazard severity zones, Wildland Urban Interface Fire Areas, and state forests. Their analysis must evaluate both the direct costs of infrastructure modifications and potential alternative approaches to support electrical corporations in preventing fires. The resulting investment plan, due to the Legislature by mid-2027, would outline specific recommendations for protecting utility facilities in these designated high-risk regions.

    The bill creates a temporary mandate that expires in January 2031, providing a defined timeline for the Commission to complete its assessment and implementation planning while maintaining existing regulatory frameworks. The working group's findings would inform future policy decisions about infrastructure investments and wildfire prevention strategies across California's electrical grid system.

    10% progression
    Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Placed on suspense file
    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 [Appropriations]
    Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Energy, Utilities and Communications]
    Introduced
    Senate Floor
    Introduced
    Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    May 19, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    5027PASS

    Contacts

    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Steven ChoiR
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 8 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 2
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Steven ChoiR
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Aisha WahabD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Christopher CabaldonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laura RichardsonD
    Senator
    Committee Member