[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6625120,"mediaKeyId","2762828-4fc52adf1fe0955a2a84e6d51a7ad0f5","parentId",2762828,"title","Committee advances bill to require utilities to improve public information on power shutoffs, with amendments","audioSeconds",2478,"startMs",2395000,"endMs",4873000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2762828-4fc52adf1fe0955a2a84e6d51a7ad0f5&start=2395&end=4873","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2762828-4fc52adf1fe0955a2a84e6d51a7ad0f5/thumbnail_2395000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6625120/California/Committee-advances-bill-to-require-utilities-to-improve-public-information-on-power-shutoffs-with-amendments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625120-1c59645e72aeb8469d4fb1254cb19ab2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448418&Signature=Uq6qQHTSXD4cUcUmluYV13-ltVbudkLkTtE357JqX~F2Ci-uWU0a3bzJ720IlOGUjiD8uWPDtSfNhSIODB2I4Sn~96oESlES~xmAxF2hVSxne9pcs4NFPoM5CHc2jZ7w1cJMuRVwH~S7hjVFx9zCKtFs9gQ0uQuRswHirNfWBbmwCJ~7cxaYXCpFJ8gn3coKXw75yl3Xh70yaRdTB~FWai-YEhzxwkKAYsxDl6650-8ysX-LuOkkybjQ5N~CWfgUK1QC4NqT8k4KfxtzjOPTx~he6XEmCaZIYRbbH8fsG2pyrfyz39cx5RJaAyqvs2~cIU1w~pZxHC7mDhQ8nn2xNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","California State Senate","date","2025-03-24T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 559, a measure authored by Senator Stern to increase transparency and public information during public safety power shutoffs (PSPS), was advanced by the Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications as amended.

Senator Stern described PSPS as a balance between preventing utility-ignited wildfires and avoiding prolonged outages that endanger vulnerable residents who rely on electrically powered medical devices. \"When your power's off and you have nowhere to turn ... and you're in the dark, not just for 12 hours but for 6 days ... people call my office. Thousands and thousands of people do and I feel powerless,\" Stern said. He said committee amendments grant utilities discretion on restoration decisions while requiring more public-facing information about circuit status and scheduled inspections.

Support testimony included Danny Anderson, disability access manager for Ventura County, who described the risks PSPS pose to people with access and functional needs (AFN): \"When you're a member of the AFN community ... relying on an electrically powered medical device ... it was very scary when I didn't know when power would be restored.\" Jean Hurst, representing the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, detailed local impacts from January 2025 events: 61 circuits were de-energized, some for more than four days, and grocery stores and traffic signals were affected.

Opposition witnesses urged caution. Will Abrams, a wildfire survivor and intervenor at the CPUC, said the bill risks treating de-energization as one-size-fits-all, and urged maintaining flexibility and two‑way communications among utilities, emergency operations centers and other partners. Catherine Borg of Southern California Edison and representatives from San Diego Gas & Electric and Pacific Gas & Electric described operational concerns and asked for language adjustments; SCE said the committee amendments addressed several issues and said it would review the bill in print.

Committee members discussed whether the CPUC could or should adopt similar protocols by rule, the level of real-time data to require publicly, and the practical limits of customers accessing online information during outages. Witnesses from SDG&E said they publish circuit-level weather and condition updates every 10 minutes on a public website during events; PG&E and SCE representatives described different public interfaces and said they would work with the author and CPUC staff on details.

The committee accepted amendments that, among other things, align definitions with existing CPUC PSPS protocols, provide utilities more discretion about the precise real-time information required, and remove a strict requirement for hourly public weather condition updates. The committee motion to pass as amended carried with a recorded vote of 13–0 and the bill was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Notes: Sponsors and several committee members said they will continue to work with utilities and CPUC staff to refine implementation details and to consider whether additional CPUC rulemaking might be a better institutional pathway for certain operational elements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee","oneSentenceSummary","SB 559 was advanced as amended; sponsors said the bill and amendments aim to require greater transparency and timely information during public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) while preserving utility discretion for safety and restoration operations. The committee vote was recorded as 13–0.","taxTitle","California State Senate, Senate, Legislative, California","taxId",77650,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625124,"Committee adopts resolution recognizing California’s role in fusion energy research",0,1649000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2762828-4fc52adf1fe0955a2a84e6d51a7ad0f5&start=1649&end=1649","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2762828-4fc52adf1fe0955a2a84e6d51a7ad0f5/thumbnail_1649000.jpg","/articles/6625124/California/Committee-adopts-resolution-recognizing-Californias-role-in-fusion-energy-research","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625124-6b46d72a757520690e290bd1dcd0289d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448419&Signature=nAc6nlSbRuMcglOnfckBWrIBtFZ5NnkaGTvej8Lm7XaTlVyrffUpkJ8Cml6M1k5qKy6ygkztVIWARE5gKm4252QaSiwsyw4rWGlkjdurTDKcZgAS-Nuu-L2ANu~t~zkDrxHVObJkHH5dK3oZxQsgm4CzPwXWUQJLYknVtWIXbXfKH4KChewOqbN5HRj4GKbRMkgMd3GUjY9GPOk~xQDne0C7YH-HCQePFpP-IOgyqtdaSviXmbFLfH0-gJAOBBluMUa7IQ5~fZ5UElUg0JGZHYgQmT~WY~XrJLSXjBDcC1ZBle1bPc7qb4LuTC4DR4PK792gxM4pXTde-9uCrjkVhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Concurrent Resolution 25, which praises California’s leadership and potential in nuclear fusion energy research and development, was adopted by the Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications and will move to the Senate floor.

Senator Catherine Blakespear (listed in committee as \"Blakesphere/Blake Spear\" in the transcript) presented the resolution and accepted committee amendments. She said the resolution recognizes the state’s investment in fusion research, workforce training and supply-chain development, and notes the D3D National Fusion Facility in her district and recent milestones at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. \"Fusion offers the promise of a nearly limitless, clean, safe energy source,\" Blakespear said.

Senator Jerry McNerney, a coauthor, described fusion’s potential to provide round-the-clock carbon-free power and noted private investment and international activity in the field. Evan Palasar, director of public affairs for General Atomics, a San Diego-based company that operates the D3D National Fusion Facility, testified in support, describing General Atomics as a long-time fusion researcher and noting that California hosts large fusion research machines and many private fusion startups.

No formal opposition witnesses appeared. The committee voted to adopt the resolution as amended; the roll call recorded a unanimous vote that was later closed at 16–0. The resolution expresses support for developing California’s fusion ecosystem, from workforce training to supply-chain development, and commends recent research milestones.

Notes: The resolution is non-binding; it recognizes achievements and encourages support for fusion research, workforce development and industry growth within California.","The committee adopted SCR 25 recognizing California’s leadership and potential in nuclear fusion research; sponsors emphasized recent milestones and workforce and supply-chain opportunities and the resolution was adopted as amended and sent to the Senate floor.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625129,"Committee advances bill allowing app-based payments for EV chargers at venues that require app-based entry",975,659000,1634000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2762828-4fc52adf1fe0955a2a84e6d51a7ad0f5&start=659&end=1634","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2762828-4fc52adf1fe0955a2a84e6d51a7ad0f5/thumbnail_659000.jpg","/articles/6625129/California/Committee-advances-bill-allowing-app-based-payments-for-EV-chargers-at-venues-that-require-app-based-entry","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625129-80a2cdaf7de3a6089d95eef8b0eacc34/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448419&Signature=MUUv7768wduP7pnhFt7YhbtaWziqH8NVYzJYT~VfjRJizvuq~2a7~AJU6gO1Z~T-8jmlFaEkQngJUxWQVIqIS5l2qeDZSew11Z5jGgrn8yHb0HuD9S6adpSCEJbW-BALZVtaSHG~2u6lEVs4TXLBAdQdrKCPrQsP4l36OT0QB4-qVexCJH5fzluAISFs2UMmRFk-buVHNYbqtjtsO04hargXHQKkwfrXwhiq0QZCYFJN8mJp5fDSyujP6cp~qVh56spZeTpG9txJYrQWO7j~w~bRKm4y3EDXod67yEQc~Egw-NR8fPdTvZ5xezHFuLa-6nODBCreo-GCoIprggQ6XA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications advanced SB 533 by Senator Richardson on a 13–0 vote after the author accepted committee amendments narrowing the bill’s scope.

Senator Richardson told the committee the bill updates payment options for EV chargers at large private venues that already use mobile apps for ticketing, parking and concessions. \"SB 533 introduces a technology-driven option for larger private entities that support the need for charging stations at major public venues,\" Richardson said, noting venues in his district (including SoFi Stadium and Intuit Dome) have moved to app-based systems for ticketing and concessions.

Joe Lang, a representative of stadium operators, and James Jack of General Motors testified in support. Lang told the committee vendors have adopted high-level encryption to protect consumer payment information and that, because ticketing and concessions are already mobile, the EV charging app flow aligns with existing venue technology. \"The purchase of tickets, concessions and EV charging is now streamlined through venue apps,\" Lang said.

Committee members asked practical and equity questions. Senator Wahab asked whether customers without smartphones would be excluded; Richardson and Lang explained venues provide will-call and point-of-contact options for customers who cannot access mobile apps. Senator Walhav (referred to in transcript as concerns about privacy/data sharing) raised privacy concerns about collecting payment and personal data via private apps; the sponsor said amendments narrow the bill to chargers \"solely accessible at venues that require an internet-based application for entry\" and emphasized that the bill would not force venues to adopt app-only systems.

The committee’s motion to pass SB 533 as amended to the Senate Transportation Committee carried 13–0. The amendments in committee clarified the bill applies only to EV chargers that are solely accessible at venues that require an internet-based application for entry.

Notes: The sponsor accepted technical amendments identified by staff and agreed to limit statewide application to venue-specific, app-based access conditions. Support witnesses included stadium and auto industry representatives.","SB 533 passed the committee 13–0 as amended. The bill would permit certain electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at venues that already require an internet-based application for entry to accept app-based payments rather than on-site card readers, subject to specified conditions and amendments narrowing scope.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625134,"Committee clears bill to speed uncontested rail crossing approvals",4529,433000,4962000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2762828-4fc52adf1fe0955a2a84e6d51a7ad0f5&start=433&end=4962","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2762828-4fc52adf1fe0955a2a84e6d51a7ad0f5/thumbnail_433000.jpg","/articles/6625134/California/Committee-clears-bill-to-speed-uncontested-rail-crossing-approvals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625134-d066179bedd9a21e436904b9b46e64af/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448419&Signature=XzNFdq0gF~AvUX8gtUi8Bou1IixpMoYmGR533MEODif-B9gU8LDjboCJhnvjJvCJzKdVNDoPjrAVrG9rteFNCelt8CH6XSO0bdn4fEj6tEbpFv4QrBbaRBfgYwJOXpTdecOxZLHimHt9gPmX6WZ0eRuReKpyA3ulMTiOcFa2N0p09JVzHhLyIQ1It0ZzDRoMgWdNhlw1TVHl3MQEXxx4gGoaIcf5yIK~HpjIKv6D0RfbrwTQcFk49-eA1LhcVhk8nlANmnVCtHM9EGEiqYhS5hYvHv9lS7cfb2db4rDYheWXhjnnis2zFh4uS1xQy8XDNFAl7F~yDenHpENsKIzK~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications voted to pass SB 544, a bill that would allow the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to establish expedited review for uncontested rail crossing applications. The committee recorded a 16–0 vote to move the measure to the Senate Transportation Committee.

Senator Laird, who presented the bill to the committee, said the legislation responds to a backlog and delay in processing rail crossing applications that are uncontested and therefore do not require the full CPUC hearing process. \"A significant number of these are uncontested and it takes an extra amount of time when they're uncontested; they could move expeditiously,\" Laird said.

Committee members voiced support for streamlining administrative processes that reduce delays and allow the CPUC to focus resources on contested matters. Senator Grove raised an unrelated comparison to Texas oil permitting timelines during discussion; Senator Archuleta moved the bill and Senator Laird accepted closing comments.

No opposition witnesses appeared at the hearing. The committee recorded an initial unanimous vote and later closed the roll at 16–0 for do pass to the Senate Transportation Committee.

The bill will next be considered by the Senate Transportation Committee.","The committee approved SB 544 16–0, which would allow the California Public Utilities Commission to establish expedited review for uncontested rail crossing applications so those that are uncontested can move faster.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625141,"Senate committee advances bill requiring annual California Energy Commission report to Legislature",4811,125000,4936000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2762828-4fc52adf1fe0955a2a84e6d51a7ad0f5&start=125&end=4936","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2762828-4fc52adf1fe0955a2a84e6d51a7ad0f5/thumbnail_125000.jpg","/articles/6625141/California/Senate-committee-advances-bill-requiring-annual-California-Energy-Commission-report-to-Legislature","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625141-dc26c470d76e0f08199f2ae9f2ee14ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448419&Signature=YdeDNorUBd~jUB0AMrWkxCZu3cimQpoi~oQsScRNvwg9b7iZxBt6vG2nRhPfqSw5sJN1ilL1fVtgY1~Jz4bZTrzujMGmcT3AyETPlHmmV0FGNJPzRMu0RoZipK-KpT9fGjq-DHgyUZFFdUWljxT6kVvCNxS3O6v-qkrP5HGYpx7EPTvoEP8GmJ-HcTj~ejHndLyb-SD-zA3eb86XWooRCWh4cBc09Bth2MZu2Q2jSbnjnQMt0WnMB1p3IWZVHsobcSCk5m7eERnNN1qiWO3BdvzP6I2ijJuvuX1n1b71vS7SgfuLLIL~UtKilWP2y26HHDLGLXU1d~Pgx3hpb03p5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SB 491, a bill that would require the chair of the California Energy Commission (CEC) to appear annually before the Legislature to report on the commission’s clean energy plans and responsibilities, was advanced unanimously by the Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications on a 16–0 vote.

Senator Laird, the bill’s author, told the committee the measure is intended to create “meaningful engagement with the Legislature” and improve transparency and accountability about the commission’s work. \"This bill you've seen before... It will direct the chair of the California Energy Commission to appear annually before the Legislature to report on the commission's clean energy plans and responsibilities,\" Laird said.

The bill’s language, Laird said, is intentionally broad to allow the commission to include a range of topics. Senator Stern asked whether specific programs mentioned in the staff analysis — permitting and permit streamlining authorities, the strategic reliability reserve and oversight of petroleum market activity — were intended to be exhaustive. Senator Laird responded that the list in the analysis “includes but is not limited to” those items and that the bill remains open to addition of matters of \"major import.\" \"If there's a thing of major import included that's not on that list, we're open to including it,\" Laird said.

No organized opposition appeared at the hearing, and Laird indicated there were no planned witnesses. Senators Rubio and Stern voiced support during the discussion, with Rubio praising the measure as a step toward transparency and Stern asking clarifying questions about the bill’s scope.

The committee motion to pass SB 491 and refer it to the Senate Appropriations Committee was moved by Senator Strickland. The roll call recorded an initial unanimous vote and later closed at 16–0 for do pass, first referred to appropriations.

The measure will next be considered by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Notes: The author and committee acknowledged the bill’s prior bipartisan support in earlier legislative consideration and emphasized that the bill’s enumerated topics are illustrative, not exhaustive.","The Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications voted unanimously to pass SB 491, which would require the chair of the California Energy Commission to appear annually before the Legislature to report on the commission’s clean energy plans and responsibilities; the measure was referred to Appropriations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances bill to require utilities to improve public information on power shutoffs, with amendments

Committee adopts resolution recognizing California’s role in fusion energy research

Committee advances bill allowing app-based payments for EV chargers at venues that require app-based entry

Committee clears bill to speed uncontested rail crossing approvals

Senate committee advances bill requiring annual California Energy Commission report to Legislature