AB 2396: Community choice aggregators: eligible transmission projects.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law authorizes a community choice aggregator to aggregate the electrical load of interested electricity consumers within its boundaries and requires a community choice aggregator to file an implementation plan with the Public Utilities Commission, to register with the commission, and to enter into an operating service agreement with an electrical corporation. Existing law requires the Energy Unit within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development to establish a Transmission Infrastructure Accelerator (accelerator) to develop a financing and development strategy for eligible transmission projects, as defined, to receive California Transmission Accelerator financing, and requires the accelerator to take the necessary steps to accelerate the development and deployment of those projects to maximize ratepayer savings.

This bill would authorize a community choice aggregator to sponsor, develop, finance, construct, operate, lease, purchase, and own an eligible transmission project, regardless of whether the electrical transmission lines are used for the purpose of conveying electricity to the customers of the community choice aggregator.

Under existing law, a violation of an order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission is a crime.

Because a violation of a commission action implementing the provisions of this bill would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. May 14, 2026In committee: Held under submission.
2. May 6, 2026In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
3. April 14, 2026Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4. April 13, 2026Read second time and amended.
5. April 9, 2026From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 8).
6. March 23, 2026Re-referred to Com. on U. & E.
7. March 19, 2026From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on U. & E. Read second time and amended.
8. March 19, 2026Referred to Com. on U. & E.
9. February 21, 2026From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
10. February 20, 2026Read first time. To print.