Small energization projects: electrical service connections.

The bill's scope was expanded from covering only accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units to covering all 'small energization projects,' defined as energization projects that do not require distribution or service line extensions or upgrades, or where the only upgrade is a new electric meter.

The definitions of 'accessory dwelling unit' and 'junior accessory dwelling unit' were removed from Section 931 of the Public Utilities Code.

Removed the requirement for the commission to establish a time by which an electrical corporation must provide a load assessment for an ADU and inform the applicant whether a new electrical panel or meter is required.

Removed the requirement for the commission to establish a time by which an electrical corporation must verify that installation of an electrical panel is complete.

Removed the requirement for the commission to establish a time by which an electrical corporation must complete the service connection after the applicant notifies them that construction of a new ADU is complete.

The remaining procedural requirements (parallel application submission, no cancellation without consent, timeline extension option, preapplication review, and upfront cost estimates) were retained but reworded to apply to small energization projects generally rather than ADUs specifically.

Removed the dedicated complaint process that allowed ADU or JADU applicants to file a complaint with the commission for violations of these requirements.

All amendments to Government Code Section 66311.5 were removed, including impact fee exemptions for ADUs of 750 square feet or less and JADUs of 500 square feet or less, the prohibition on treating ADUs/JADUs as new residential use for connection fees, restrictions on requiring separate utility connections, and the requirement for local agencies to post utility connection requirements on their websites.

Section 934.5 was expanded so the commission must establish timelines for energizing not just ADUs and JADUs but also 'small energization projects,' broadening the bill's reach beyond accessory dwelling units to a wider class of smaller electrical connection projects.

The statewide concern finding (former Section 5) that explicitly applied the Government Code amendments to all cities including charter cities was removed, consistent with the removal of those provisions.

Public Utilities Code Section 8402 was removed entirely. This section had imposed specific deadlines on utilities: 15 business days to determine application completeness, 15 business days for load assessment, 10 business days to verify panel installation, and 30 days to complete the service connection after construction is done.

The no-cancellation rule in Section 934.5 now includes an exception: a utility may cancel an application without applicant consent if the applicant fails to respond to the electrical corporation within a timeline established by the commission.

The timeline extension provision was changed so that both the applicant and the electrical corporation can request an extension, but both must agree for it to take effect (previously only the applicant could request a delay).

The civil penalty provisions were removed. The Senate version had authorized penalties of up to $10,000 per day for violations plus annual penalties of up to $1 million (for 5-10% complaint-to-violation ratio) or $2 million (for more than 10%).

A new definition of 'small energization project' was added to Section 931. It means an energization project that does not require distribution or service line extensions or upgrades under the commission's line extension framework, or whose only upgrade is a new electric meter required by the utility or local jurisdiction.

A new subsection was added stating that an electrical corporation's compliance with Section 934.5 shall complement and not conflict with any rule, order, or determination by the commission under the same article.

New Public Utilities Code Section 934.5 requires the PUC to establish timelines by September 30, 2027 for electrical corporations to respond to and process ADU/JADU energization requests, including deadlines for application completeness determinations, deficiency notices, load assessments, panel verification, and service connection completion.

Section 934.5(d) requires electrical corporations to allow simultaneous submission of energization applications with building permit applications, not cancel applications without applicant consent, allow timeline extensions at applicant request, offer preapplication review, and provide upfront cost estimates including potential infrastructure upgrades.

New Public Utilities Code Section 931 adds definitions for 'Accessory dwelling unit,' 'Electrification,' 'Energization'/'energize,' 'Energization time period,' and 'Junior accessory dwelling unit' within the context of the Powering Up Californians Act.

Section 934.5 requires the PUC to establish a complaint process for ADU/JADU applicants and determine penalties for electrical corporations that fail to comply with the established energization timelines.

The bill no longer amends Government Code Section 66313 (which contained ADU-related definitions such as 'accessory dwelling unit,' 'junior accessory dwelling unit,' 'livable space,' 'objective standards,' etc.). This entire section was removed from the bill.

The chapter heading for Public Utilities Code Chapter 9 was changed from 'Electrical, Gas, Sewer, and Water Service for New Housing Construction' to 'Electrical, Gas, Sewer, and Water Service for Housing Construction,' removing the word 'New' and broadening the apparent scope.

The fiscal note was changed from 'Fiscal committee: no' to 'Fiscal committee: yes' and 'State-mandated local program: no' to 'State-mandated local program: yes,' reflecting that the new PUC provisions create a state-mandated local program with potential criminal penalties.

Senator Wahab was added as a co-author alongside Senator McNerney, and the bill's legislative description was updated to reflect the new Public Utilities Code amendments (Sections 931 and 934.5).

Bill scope expanded from a single nonsubstantive definition fix in Government Code Section 66313 to include new amendments to Government Code Section 66311.5, Public Utilities Code Sections 8400 and 8402 (new), and the heading of Chapter 9 of Division 4.1 of the Public Utilities Code.

State-mandated local program designation changed from 'no' to 'yes,' and fiscal committee review changed from 'no' to 'yes,' reflecting the new obligations imposed on local agencies and utilities.

New legislative finding that Section 1 (amending Government Code 66311.5) addresses a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair, making it applicable to all cities including charter cities.

New Section 8402 requires utilities to post a comprehensive checklist of items needed for a complete ADU/JADU service connection application, provide an option for preapplication staff review, and give upfront cost estimates including all fees, charges, and potential infrastructure upgrades.

Local agencies must post on their website or distribute in writing a comprehensive list of utility service connection requirements for ADUs/JADUs and contact information for each utility serving the jurisdiction.

New deadlines imposed on utilities: 15 business days to determine if an application is complete; 15 business days to re-evaluate after corrections; 15 business days for electrical load assessment; 10 business days to verify panel or meter installation; and 30 days from construction completion notification to finish the service connection.

New complaint process allowing applicants to file written complaints with the Public Utilities Commission, with civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day of violation, plus annual penalties of up to $1 million (5-10% complaint-to-violation ratio) or up to $2 million (over 10%).

New Section 66311.5 prohibits local agencies from imposing impact fees on ADUs with 750 square feet or less of interior livable space or JADUs with 500 square feet or less, and requires proportionate fees for larger ADUs based on the primary dwelling's square footage.

Local agencies, special districts, and water corporations are prohibited from requiring a new or separate utility connection directly between an ADU/JADU and the utility (for units described in Section 66323(a)(1)) unless the unit was built with a new single-family dwelling or upon separate conveyance of the ADU.

Minor wording fix in Section 66313(i): 'prior to before submittal' corrected to 'before submittal.'