Date:
August 18, 2026
27
To:
Board of Supervisors
Title
Support for the State's 2026 Utility Affordability and Accountability Legislative Package (Districts: All)
End
Overview
The 2026 Utility Affordability and Accountability Legislative Package (Package) consists of 11 bills in the California State Senate and Assembly that aim to lower utility costs, ensure fair electricity pricing, and advance equitable and affordable energy for residents across the state. The Package provides a variety of mechanisms intended to reduce upward pressure on utility rates, strengthen oversight of utility spending and profits, improve transparency in rate-setting, and prevent costs associated with large energy users from being shifted onto residential customers. Today's request is to direct the Chief Administrative Officer to take action that reflects the County of San Diego's support for this Package.
Body
Recommendation by Chair Pro Tem Paloma Aguirre and Vice Chair Monica Montgomery Steppe:
Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to express the County of San Diego's support for the 2026 Utility Affordability and Accountability Legislative Package consisting of: Assembly Bill 2463, State Senate Bill 905, State Senate Bill 1098, State Senate Bill 943, Assembly Bill 1761, State Senate Bill 1138, State Senate Bill 1359, Assembly Bill 2516, Assembly Bill 2493, State Senate Bill 1159, and State Senate Bill 913.
Body
End
Equity Impact Statement
The 2026 Utility Affordability and Accountability Legislative Package (Package) advances equity by addressing rising utility costs that place additional financial pressure on households already struggling with housing affordability. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development defines households as housing cost-burdened when they spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing costs. In San Diego County, 38 percent of homeowners and 58 percent of renters are housing cost-burdened, according to the University of...
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