SB-810
Energy & Environment

Electricity: ratepayer-funded programs: reports.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Requires state agencies to evaluate electricity programs that may be unnecessarily increasing consumer rates.
  • Mandates detailed reports to the Legislature by July 1, 2025 on program costs and benefits.
  • Authorizes agencies to recommend eliminating ineffective programs and returning unused funds to ratepayers.
  • Takes effect immediately to address California's electricity rates that are double the national average.
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Summary

Senator Dahle's proposal to mandate comprehensive reviews of California's electrical ratepayer-funded programs responds to findings that the state's residential electricity rates have risen 47% between 2019 and 2023, nearly triple the rate of inflation. The legislation requires both the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission and the Public Utilities Commission to submit detailed reports to the Legislature by July 1, 2025, examining programs under their oversight.

These reports must analyze whether existing ratepayer-funded initiatives provide benefits that justify their costs and identify any programs unnecessarily increasing electricity rates. The commissions must recommend statutory or regulatory changes, including potential modification or elimination of underperforming programs. The legislation also directs the commissions to evaluate whether certain programs could be funded through alternative sources and assess opportunities to return unused ratepayer funds through bill credits.

The bill's findings note that California maintains the second-highest residential electricity rates nationwide after Hawaii, with rates approximately double the national average. These mandated reviews align with Governor Newsom's Executive Order N-5-24, which directed both commissions to examine ratepayer-funded programs and report findings to the executive branch. The legislative requirements would remain in effect until July 2029, with full repeal scheduled for January 2030.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Megan Dahle
Megan DahleR
California State Senator

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Senate Floor
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Bob ArchuletaD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Susan RubioD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Josh BeckerD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Angelique AshbyD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Jesse ArreguinD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Jerry McNerneyD
Senator
Committee Member

Key Takeaways

  • Requires state agencies to evaluate electricity programs that may be unnecessarily increasing consumer rates.
  • Mandates detailed reports to the Legislature by July 1, 2025 on program costs and benefits.
  • Authorizes agencies to recommend eliminating ineffective programs and returning unused funds to ratepayers.
  • Takes effect immediately to address California's electricity rates that are double the national average.

Get Involved

Act Now!

This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.

Introduced By

Megan Dahle
Megan DahleR
California State Senator

Summary

Senator Dahle's proposal to mandate comprehensive reviews of California's electrical ratepayer-funded programs responds to findings that the state's residential electricity rates have risen 47% between 2019 and 2023, nearly triple the rate of inflation. The legislation requires both the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission and the Public Utilities Commission to submit detailed reports to the Legislature by July 1, 2025, examining programs under their oversight.

These reports must analyze whether existing ratepayer-funded initiatives provide benefits that justify their costs and identify any programs unnecessarily increasing electricity rates. The commissions must recommend statutory or regulatory changes, including potential modification or elimination of underperforming programs. The legislation also directs the commissions to evaluate whether certain programs could be funded through alternative sources and assess opportunities to return unused ratepayer funds through bill credits.

The bill's findings note that California maintains the second-highest residential electricity rates nationwide after Hawaii, with rates approximately double the national average. These mandated reviews align with Governor Newsom's Executive Order N-5-24, which directed both commissions to examine ratepayer-funded programs and report findings to the executive branch. The legislative requirements would remain in effect until July 2029, with full repeal scheduled for January 2030.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)
Probability of Passing
We're working on it! Check back later.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Senate Floor
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Community Outlook

No votes yet
Positive
0%
Negative
0%

Relevant Contacts

Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Anna CaballeroD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Shannon GroveR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Benjamin AllenD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Henry SternD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Monique LimonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Bob ArchuletaD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Susan RubioD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Lena GonzalezD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Josh BeckerD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Angelique AshbyD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Jesse ArreguinD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Jerry McNerneyD
Senator
Committee Member