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AB 286

Relating to: interest earned on coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery funds. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Elijah Behnke and 19 co-sponsors

Requires CPUC to issue recommendations to cut electricity rates by at least 30% by Jan 1, 2027, and audit wildfire cost claims and public programs for cost‑effectiveness.

Representative Steffen added as a coauthor
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Bill Summary · AB 286

AB 286 (Gallagher) — Electricity: mandatory rate reduction (Summary)

Status: In committee — Held under submission (last action: 2025-05-23)
Introduced: January 22, 2025
Subject: Electricity; rate reduction; Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
New statutory location: Proposed addition of Section 739.15 to the Public Utilities Code

Main purpose

AB 286 directs the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to produce recommendations to decrease the kilowatt‑hour (kWh) rate for electricity charged to ratepayers by at least 30% by January 1, 2027. The bill also prescribes specific actions the CPUC must take when developing those recommendations.

Note on wording: several bill versions show inconsistent phrasing — e.g., “shall reduce” vs. “generate a report outlining recommendations to decrease.” The operative text added as Section 739.15 lays out required analyses and actions the CPUC must perform in making the rate‑reduction recommendations.

Key provisions

  • Adds Section 739.15 to the Public Utilities Code.
  • Sets an objective of reducing kWh retail rates by not less than 30% by January 1, 2027 (as the target for the CPUC’s recommendations).
  • Requires the CPUC, when preparing those recommendations, to:
    1. Review any public purpose programs found not cost‑effective and evaluate any public purpose programs not previously evaluated for cost‑effectiveness (with elimination, reform, or legislative recommendations for programs deemed not cost‑effective).
    2. For the climate credit (Section 748.5), consider adopting suggestions from the CPUC’s Response to Executive Order N‑5‑24 (Feb 18, 2025).
    3. Use its authority under Section 314.6 to audit costs claimed by electrical corporations for wildfire mitigation plans and, to the extent those costs are unreasonable, recommend reducing rates accordingly.
    4. Evaluate each program listed in Table A‑2 of the CPUC Response to Executive Order N‑5‑24 for cost‑effectiveness and act (eliminate, reform, or seek legislative action) if a program is not cost‑effective.

Who would be affected

  • Ratepayers: potential for lower electricity bills if recommendations are implemented.
  • Electrical corporations (investor‑owned utilities): subject to audits of wildfire mitigation cost claims and potential reductions in allowed cost recovery.
  • CPUC: directed to perform specified evaluations, audits, and policy recommendations.
  • Public purpose programs (e.g., low‑income, energy efficiency, climate programs): may be reduced, reformed, or recommended for elimination if determined not cost‑effective.
  • Legislature: may receive recommendations for statutory action.

Procedural / timeline aspects

  • Target date in the bill for the 30% reduction recommendation: January 1, 2027.
  • Bill has been through the Assembly Utilities & Energy Committee and Appropriations Committee (fiscal committee referral noted). Latest status: held under submission in committee (5/23/2025).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • If acted on, the bill could materially lower retail electricity rates but would likely require cuts or redesigns of existing rate components and public purpose programs.
  • Audits of wildfire mitigation costs could constrain utility cost recovery tied to safety investments; legal and safety tradeoffs between lower rates and wildfire risk mitigation funding may arise.
  • Implementation depends on CPUC rulemaking, audits, and possible legislative follow‑up; the bill as drafted emphasizes recommendations rather than an explicit immediate directive to change rates.

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

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