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AB 734

Relating to: climate control in state correctional institutions and county jails and houses of correction and making an appropriation. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Margaret Arney and 13 co-sponsors

AB 734 requires the CEC to post biological resources data from siting filings, with CDFW-approved limits on sensitive CNDDB data to protect species.

Representative Mayadev added as a coauthor
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Bill Summary · AB 734

Note on bill title: The bill header you provided references climate control in correctional institutions, but the legislative text and committee documents for AB 734 (Schultz) concern public access to biological resources data submitted to the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (CEC). The summary below follows the actual bill text and legislative history provided.

Purpose

AB 734 requires that biological resources data submitted to the California Energy Commission (CEC) in certification proceedings for powerplants, transmission lines, and certain eligible renewable facilities be publicly available on the CEC docket, with a limited exception for sensitive location data maintained in the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) if disclosure would pose a significant risk to species.

Key provisions

  • Adds Public Resources Code sections 25544 and 25545.17.
  • Defines “biological resources data” to include species and habitat information (observations, surveys, scientific studies, species needs, habitat conditions) and maps at a scale of 1 inch = 500 feet.
  • Requires that any biological resources data submitted with a CEC certification application, or with a small powerplant exemption (per Section 25541), be made publicly available on the CEC’s docket as part of the certification proceeding.
  • Creates an exception where the Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) issues a written determination that the data to be released includes location data derived from the CNDDB, and that releasing it would pose a significant risk to individuals of the species.
    • If CDFW issues that determination it must include an assessment of the maximum amount of CNDDB-derived data that can be released without posing a significant risk.
    • CDFW must deliver the written determination to the CEC; the CEC then publishes data on its docket in accordance with that determination.
  • Extends these public availability requirements to biological data submitted with applications for “eligible facilities” (including solar PV or terrestrial wind facilities of 50 MW+), consistent with the existing eligible-facility authority (current through June 30, 2029).

Who is affected

  • Project applicants for CEC certification and small powerplant exemptions (thermal powerplants and related transmission).
  • Developers of large renewable “eligible facilities” (≥50 MW).
  • California Energy Commission (administrative duties to post data and follow CDFW determinations).
  • California Department of Fish and Wildlife (responsible for review and written determinations about CNDDB data release).
  • Environmental organizations, researchers, local governments, and the public who use CEC dockets and environmental review materials.

Procedural/timeline highlights

  • Introduced: February 18, 2025 (Assembly).
  • Referred through multiple Assembly and Senate committees (Water, Parks & Wildlife; Appropriations; Energy, Utilities & Communications; Natural Resources & Water).
  • Passed both houses (Senate and Assembly) in 2025; enrolled and presented to the Governor on September 9, 2025.
  • Vetoed by the Governor on October 1, 2025 (consideration of veto pending as of that date).
  • Fiscal notes: No appropriation; referred to fiscal committees (fiscal committee: yes).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Increased transparency: makes species/habitat data used in energy siting decisions publicly accessible for scrutiny, permitting and environmental review.
  • Species protection balance: preserves a route for CDFW to withhold or limit CNDDB-derived location details when disclosure would endanger individuals, with a required written rationale and scope.
  • Administrative coordination: imposes procedural obligations on CDFW and the CEC to coordinate determinations and docket postings.
  • Stakeholder effects: may affect how applicants prepare submissions (awareness of public release), and could change public engagement and litigation dynamics around siting proceedings.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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