Gregg Hart — Called during the roll call and marked here.
Gregg Hart — Addressed in the procedural transition before the next speaker.
Gregg Hart — Voted aye.
Gregg Hart — Was highlighted as part of the effort and acknowledged for his work.
Jacqui Irwin — Called during the roll call and marked here.
Jacqui Irwin — Voted aye.
Ash Kalra — Called during the roll call.
Ash Kalra — Voted aye.
Ash Kalra — Was highlighted as part of the effort and acknowledged for his work.
Diane Papan — Called during the roll call and marked here.
Diane Papan — Voted aye.
Chris Rogers — Called during the roll call and marked here.
Chris Rogers — Assembly Member Rogers expressed initial reluctance about the bill and questioned whether it properly balances wildfire victims’ interests against protecting utilities and ratepayers. He asked what incentive utilities have to improve disaster funding if the wildfire fund is repeatedly extended and worried the bill shields utilities from liability while shifting costs to ratepayers. He then explained why he believes the current construct is still the best available deal for Californians, citing California’s strict inverse condemnation liability, the fact that ratepayers would otherwise bear full responsibility, and the proposal’s requirement that shareholders contribute and invest in wildfire mitigation. Rogers broadened the point by describing California’s worsening climate and wildfire crisis, arguing that any solution will be expensive and must be made as cost-effective as possible. He then gave personal and historical context from his time on the Santa Rosa City Council during the Tubbs fire, describing the challenges of helping victims rebuild, the shortcomings of prior compensation approaches tied to PG&E stock, the creation and limitations of the 2019 fire victims trust, and his view that past efforts did not fully make victims whole. He concluded by urging recognition that Tubbs victims were undercompensated and that replenishing the fund should acknowledge that history.
Chris Rogers — The speaker expressed appreciation for Assembly Member Chris Rogers and his comments, noting gratitude for his remarks and sensitivity to the fire impacts in Rogers' area.
Chris Rogers — Voted aye.
Pilar Schiavo — Called during the roll call.
Pilar Schiavo — Voted aye.
Nick Schultz — Called during the roll call.
Nick Schultz — Assembly Member Nick Schultz argued that permitting for battery or other projects should not move forward without safety review and that the bill is meant to preserve, not eliminate, local consultation, CEQA review, and land-use oversight. He emphasized that the measure prevents local jurisdictions from wholesale banning technologies or projects while still allowing local input, cited the Fountain Wind project as an example of continued review, and asked whether journal language could be added to provide additional reassurance and support for the bill. He also noted that he had spoken with the CEC and reiterated that robust local consultation and related review processes remain unchanged under the bill.
Nick Schultz — Voted aye.
Tri Ta — Called during the roll call and marked here.
Tri Ta — Voted aye.
Greg Wallis — Called during the roll call and marked here.
Greg Wallis — Voted aye.
Rick Zbur — Called during the roll call.
SB254 — The committee announces it will hear SB 254, introduced by Senator Becker, and then moves into Senator Becker’s presentation of the bill. The bill is framed as a significant effort to address rising utility bills in California.
SB254 — SB 254 is discussed as an affordability and ratepayer-relief bill that reflects years of work by the Legislature and administration, incorporates stakeholder and legislative feedback, and combines the best elements of earlier proposals. Speakers urge support for the measure, describing it as an important first step toward lowering utility bills and addressing the affordability crisis, and call for a yes vote.
SB254 — Announced as having passed out of committee by a 16-0 vote.
AB825 — AB 825 is introduced as an informational item because it is currently in the Senate’s possession, then later referenced as one of the bills whose provisions were folded into the current package. The discussion further explains that call-before-you-dig reforms originated in the original AB 825 and were intended to improve planning efficiency for undergrounding transmission lines.
AB825 — AB 825 is presented in an informational hearing as a proposal to help California participate in a west-wide electricity market, with supporters arguing it could improve affordability, reliability, clean energy development, and blackout prevention. Speakers note broad coalition support, co-sponsorship, and the bill’s safeguards, governance, and oversight provisions intended to protect California’s interests and benefit customers. Later testimony shifts to opposition, warning that last-minute amendments weakened key protections and could expose California ratepayers to subsidizing out-of-state coal power through the regional market. The discussion closes with a response pointing back to the safeguards outlined in the bill.
SB103 — Last year's bill is referenced as the source of changes to improve oversight and wildfire mitigation plans.
SB410 — Referenced as the speaker's 2023 bill that set targets and timelines for energizing customers.
Ann Pat — Introduces herself, but the name appears truncated and may be incomplete.
Ann Patterson — Ann Patterson, a senior counselor to Governor Newsom, introduces herself and explains her involvement with the state’s wildfire fund, including her prior work on the original 2019 fund. The discussion frames her expertise and support for SB 254.
Mark Tony — Introduces himself as Executive Director of TURN and supports SB 254.
Melissa Romero — Melissa Romero testified in support of the measure on behalf of California Environmental Voters and later briefly added support from the Climate Center, relaying that organization’s backing as well.
Melissa Romero — Testified in strong support on behalf of California Environmental Voters.
Scott Cox — Testified in strong support on behalf of the Building Decarbonization Coalition.
Scott Cox — Testified in strong support on behalf of Ceres.
Sarah Flachs — Testified in support on behalf of the California Federation of Labor Unions.
Jonathan Clay — Testified in support on behalf of the County of San Diego.
Chris McHalee — Testified in support on behalf of Silicon Valley Clean Energy.
Chris McHalee — Testified in support on behalf of Silicon Valley Clean Energy.
Delaney Hunter — Testified in support on behalf of the Center for Sustainable Energy.
Delaney Hunter — Testified in support on behalf of EDF Power Solutions and EDP Renewables.
Rebecca Marcus — Testified in support on behalf of the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Jan Sponny Jones — Name appears to be a transcription error; testified on behalf of the Independent Energy Producers in support.
Janice Money Jones — Testified in support on behalf of the Independent Energy Producers.
Ann Bell Hopkins — Testified in support on behalf of the Public Advocates Office.
Nate Solove — Testified in support on behalf of Net Zero.