An act to amend the Budget Act of 2024 (Chs. 22, 35, and 994, Stats. 2024), by amending Section 99.50 of, and by adding Section 11.50 to, that act, relating to the state budget, and to take effect immediately, budget bill.
Summary
ABX19 would amend the Budget Act of 2024 to add a new control section addressing the approval of distribution infrastructure undergrounding plans for large electrical corporations. The bill states that approval of such a plan under Public Utilities Code Section 8388.5 is not a “project” for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), so long as any CEQA-required environmental review happens before any project approval that would authorize physical changes to the environment. In practical terms, the measure is aimed at streamlining the planning and approval process for undergrounding electrical infrastructure while preserving environmental review before construction-related approvals.
The bill also updates the Budget Act’s index of control sections to include the new “Undergrounding of Electrical Infrastructure” section and declares the measure to be a Budget Bill that takes effect immediately. Because it is framed as a budget trailer-style amendment to the Budget Act, it would modify how the existing budget act interacts with CEQA and utility undergrounding plans rather than creating a standalone program or appropriation.
Impact
If enacted, ABX19 would change the legal treatment of approval of electrical distribution undergrounding plans by excluding that approval step from CEQA’s definition of a project, while still requiring environmental review before any later approval that authorizes physical changes to the environment. This would affect large electrical corporations, utility regulators, and agencies involved in reviewing undergrounding projects, and it would narrow the point at which CEQA litigation or review could attach. The bill amends the Budget Act of 2024 and takes effect immediately, but it does not appropriate funds.
Sentiment
The available record shows little formal debate or recorded voting activity, and the bill died at desk on the day it was introduced. The bill’s framing suggests support from members favoring faster utility infrastructure deployment and reduced procedural delay, especially for undergrounding projects. At the same time, the CEQA-related change implies likely concern from environmental and community stakeholders who may view the measure as limiting early-stage environmental review or public challenge opportunities.
Contention
The main point of contention is the CEQA exemption for approval of undergrounding plans. Supporters would likely argue that the bill simply separates planning approval from project-level environmental review and helps expedite hardening and undergrounding of the electric grid. Opponents would likely focus on the risk that removing the plan-approval step from CEQA could reduce oversight, public participation, or the ability to challenge utility decisions before they advance. The tension is between infrastructure streamlining and environmental review protections.