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GWP staff outlines state and federal bills that could affect municipal utilities
Summary
Staff reported tracking about 145 bills that could affect public power and water providers and highlighted several measures — including SB 1011 (CEC oversight of POU automated systems), SB 1168 (data‑center surcharge), AB 1820 (capped EV permitting fees) and ACWA‑sponsored water bills relating to wildfire and rate allocation — and previewed upcoming deadlines and outreach events.
A staff legislative briefing on April 6 summarized bills at the state and federal level that could affect municipal utilities.
"We are tracking about 145 of them that impact POUs," said Dawn, the staff presenter. Staff reviewed bills of particular interest: SB 1011 (would expand California Energy Commission oversight of public‑power automated systems, including AI applications), SB 1168 (would impose a surcharge on electricity used by data centers beginning Jan. 1, 2027), AB 1820 (would cap EV charger permitting fees, with exemptions for locally proven reasonable fees), and ACWA‑sponsored bills addressing water system resilience, wildfire mitigation requirements for water suppliers and rate allocation methods.
Staff flagged outstanding clarifications — for example whether funds collected under a data‑center surcharge would return to impacted local territories or be distributed statewide — and said they were monitoring amendments and working with regional partners. Staff also described recent advocacy and outreach (meetings with state reps and federal staff, and upcoming tours with CMUA and SCAPA).
What happens next: staff will continue to monitor the bills, pursue amendments where necessary and brief the commission on developments ahead of legislative deadlines.
