AB 1295: Public utilities: bills and notices: consolidation and transparency.
This bill would require public utilities to provide customers with information on additional costs attributable to state requirements or programs. These costs would be disclosed quarterly on the customer's billing statement in a visible area and in a similar size and font as the billing information. The information would include details on the specific costs, such as those imposed by statute, regulation, or the state energy resources conservation and development commission. The bill aims to increase transparency and help customers understand the factors that contribute to their utility bills.
| Feb. 02, 2026 | From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. |
| Jan. 31, 2026 | Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution. |
| May. 23, 2025 | In committee: Held under submission. |
| May. 14, 2025 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| May. 01, 2025 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 18. Noes 0.) (April 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Amended IN Assembly April 22, 2025 |
| Introduced by Assembly Member Patterson |
February 21, 2025 |
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
This bill would require each public utility to provide to its customers information on the additional costs that are attributable to state requirements or programs, including those imposed by statute, regulation, the commission, or the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission. The bill would require this information to be provided quarterly on the customer billing statement in a visible area and in a similar size and font as the billing information.
Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act or any order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission is a crime.
Because the provisions of this bill would be a part of the act and because a violation of an order or decision of the commission implementing its requirements would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program by creating a new crime or expanding the application of a crime.
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.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 739.17 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to read:739.17.
(a) On or before June 1, 2026, the commission shall do both of the following:(a)Each public utility shall provide to its customers information on the additional costs that are attributable to state requirements or programs, including those imposed by statute, regulation, the commission, or the Energy Commission.
(b)The information provided pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be provided quarterly on the customer billing statement in a visible area and in a similar size and font as the billing information.
No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.