California SB 1359 — Natural Gas Ratepayer Protection Act.

California, 20252026. SB 1359: Natural Gas Ratepayer Protection Act.

Plural source record ↗

Official legislative source ↗

Latest action

September 30, 2026 — Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 1026, Statutes of 2026.

Summary

Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission with regulatory authority over public utilities, including gas corporations. Existing law authorizes the commission to fix the rates and charges for every public utility and requires that those rates and charges be just and reasonable. Existing law requires, until at least December 31, 2029, each gas corporation to submit to the commission a map that includes, among other things, the location of all potential gas distribution line replacement projects identified in its distribution integrity management plan and any foreseeable gas distribution pipeline replacements, as provided. This bill would require each gas corporation to submit an annual report to the commission that describes its expenditures associated with gas distribution infrastructure replacement and upgrade projects, as provided. The bill would require the commission, as part of its long-term gas planning rulemaking or a successor proceeding, to consider a framework for the depreciation of gas distribution infrastructure that reflects reasonably foreseeable changes in gas demand and is designed to minimize future ratepayer exposure to stranded asset costs, and would authorize the commission to apply the framework in evaluating the depreciation of, and cost recovery for, gas distribution infrastructure replacements and upgrades. Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act or an order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission is a crime. Because the above provisions would be part of the Public Utilities Act and a violation of a commission action implementing this bill's requirements 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

• Stern — primary sponsor

Bill text

SB1359 Read version ↗

02/20/26 - Introduced Read version ↗

03/25/26 - Amended Senate Read version ↗

04/13/26 - Amended Senate Read version ↗

05/14/26 - Amended Senate Read version ↗

06/15/26 - Amended Assembly Read version ↗

06/29/26 - Amended Assembly Read version ↗

08/21/26 - Amended Assembly Read version ↗

09/02/26 - Enrolled Read version ↗

09/30/26 - Chaptered Read version ↗

Recorded votes

Legislative history

1. September 30, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 1026, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 30, 2026Approved by the Governor.
3. September 8, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
4. August 30, 2026Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 29. Noes 10. Page 6126.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
5. August 27, 2026In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
6. August 26, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 47. Noes 20. Page 6622.) Ordered to the Senate.
7. August 21, 2026Ordered to third reading.
8. August 21, 2026Read third time and amended.
9. August 21, 2026Assembly Rule 69(b)(1) suspended. (Ayes 55. Noes 17. Page 6296.)
10. August 6, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
11. August 5, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 9. Noes 4.) (August 5).
12. June 29, 2026Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
13. June 25, 2026From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 5.) (June 24).
14. June 15, 2026From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on U. & E.
15. June 4, 2026Referred to Com. on U. & E.
16. May 27, 2026In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
17. May 27, 2026Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 23. Noes 13. Page 4484.) Ordered to the Assembly.
18. May 18, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
19. May 14, 2026Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
20. May 14, 2026From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 2. Page 4274.) (May 14).
21. May 8, 2026Set for hearing May 14.
22. May 4, 2026May 4 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
23. April 24, 2026Set for hearing May 4.
24. April 22, 2026From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 4. Page 3974.) (April 21). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
25. April 16, 2026Set for hearing April 21.
26. April 13, 2026From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E., U & C.
27. April 8, 2026Re-referred to Com. on E., U & C.
28. March 25, 2026From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
29. March 4, 2026Referred to Com. on RLS.
30. February 23, 2026Read first time.
31. February 23, 2026From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 23.
32. February 20, 2026Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

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