SB 924: Low-income energy assistance.

Official summary

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

Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission with regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations and gas corporations. Existing law requires the commission to require electrical corporations and gas corporations to perform home weatherization services, as described, for low-income customers if the commission determines that a significant need for those services exists in the corporation’s service territory, taking into consideration both the cost-effectiveness of the services and the policy of reducing the hardships facing low-income households, as specified.

This bill would require the commission to take into consideration the cost-effectiveness of the services as a whole and to require electrical corporations and gas corporations, in performing those home weatherization services, to prioritize integration of health, safety, and indoor air quality improvement measures necessary to enable whole-home improvements, coordinated delivery across fuel types and housing types, conditions, and tenancy structures, and program design that allows for tenant-level benefits where upgrades occur in rental properties, while preserving flexibility in program design. The bill would authorize the commission to consider nonenergy benefits when establishing priorities for program design. The bill would require the commission to ensure that weatherization program costs do not result in undue cost burdens for ratepayers. The bill would require the commission to require electrical and gas corporations to report on measurable household affordability outcomes, as specified. The bill would require the commission to ensure meaningful public and stakeholder input on the design and implementation of these low-income programs, as provided. The bill would require the commission to ensure that diverse contracting requirements are consistent with specified plans submitted to the commission and certain guidelines. The bill would revise the definition of “weatherization” for these purposes, as specified.

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

Because a violation of a commission action implementing the bill’s requirements would be a crime, this 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. June 24, 2026June 24 hearing postponed by committee.
2. June 10, 2026June 10 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author.
3. June 1, 2026Referred to Com. on U. & E.
4. May 26, 2026In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
5. May 26, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 35. Noes 1. Page 4444.) Ordered to the Assembly.
6. May 14, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
7. May 14, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0. Page 4257.) (May 14).
8. May 8, 2026Set for hearing May 14.
9. May 4, 2026May 4 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
10. April 24, 2026Set for hearing May 4.
11. April 20, 2026Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
12. April 16, 2026From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 16. Noes 1. Page 3841.) (April 13).