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Home/Bills/SB 491California · 2025–2026 Regular Session
Senate BillPassed first housePublic Resources

SB 491: State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission: chair: report to the Legislature.

California · Senate · 2025–2026 Regular Session · last verified December 13, 2025

What SB 491 does, verified December 13, 2025

The bill requires the chair of the state energy resources conservation and development commission to annually report to the legislature on the commission's activities. The chair must report to the appropriate policy committees, providing an update on the commission's efforts and progress in promoting energy efficiency and conservation in the state. This information will help the legislature stay informed and make data-driven decisions regarding energy policy.

Bill journey
✓IntroducedComplete
✓In CommitteeComplete
✓First Chamber FloorComplete
4Second ChamberCurrent
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: August 29 hearing: Held in committee and under submission. (2025-08-29)Alert me
Recent actions17 total · showing 5
Aug. 29, 2025August 29 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
Jul. 09, 2025July 9 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file.
Jul. 09, 2025July 9 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.
Jun. 26, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 18. Noes 0.) (June 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Jun. 05, 2025Referred to Com. on U. & E.
Full action history, 12 earlier actionsConnect Plus
Latest bill textAmended version, April 1, 2025 · 404 words

Amended IN Senate April 01, 2025

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill
No. 491


Introduced by Senator Laird
(Coauthor: Senator Rubio)

February 19, 2025


An act to amend Section 25217.5 of the Public Resources Code, relating to energy.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 491, as amended, Laird. State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission: chair: report to the Legislature.
Existing law establishes the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission consisting of 5 members and establishes various duties and responsibilities of the commission relating to energy usage in the state. Existing law requires the Governor to designate a chair of the commission and requires the chair to direct the public advisor, the executive director, and other staff of the commission in the performance of their duties in conformance with the policies and guidelines established by the commission.
This bill would require the chair of the commission to appear annually before the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature to report on activities of the commission, as specified.
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

Section 25217.5 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:

25217.5.

(a) The chair of the commission shall direct the public advisor, the executive director, and other staff in the performance of their duties in conformance with the policies and guidelines established by the commission.
(b) (1) The chair of the commission shall appear annually before the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature to report on the commission’s plans to carry out the commission’s responsibilities, including, but not limited to, its activities regarding all of the following:
(A) Research, development, and demonstration.
(B) Building and appliance efficiency standards.
(C) Electricity and natural gas demand forecasts.
(D) Siting of thermal powerplants.
(E) Implementation of the California Renewables Portfolio Standard Program (Article 16 (commencing with Section 399.11) of Chapter 2.3 of Part 1 of Division 1 of the Public Utilities Code) and energy labeling.
(F) Transportation fuels and alternative fuel vehicles.
(2) The chair of the commission shall report on the activities taken by the commission in the previous year and the processes instituted to solicit input from Californians in diverse regions of the state.
(3) The chair shall report on the successes and the challenges encountered in carrying out the responsibilities specified in paragraph (1) and the reported activities taken and processes instituted pursuant to paragraph (2).

Text of SB 491 as amended, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions
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