City Manager’s Office
www.santa-ana.gov/cm
Item # 28
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
August 4, 2026
TOPIC: Resolution Supporting State Legislation to Improve Utility Affordability
AGENDA TITLE
Resolution Supporting State Legislation to Improve Utility Affordability, Strengthen Ratepayer Protections, and Increase Accountability of Investor-Owned Utilities
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt a Resolution Supporting State Legislation to Improve Utility Affordability, Strengthen Ratepayer Protections, and Increase Accountability of Investor-Owned Utilities During the 2025–2026 California Legislative Session.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XXX entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING STATE LEGISLATION TO
IMPROVE UTILITY AFFORDABILITY, STRENGTHEN RATEPAYER PROTECTIONS,
AND INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY OF INVESTOR-OWNED UTILITIES DURING THE 2025-2026 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE SESSION
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No
DISCUSSION
Southern California Edison (SCE) is the primary electric utility provider serving the City of Santa Ana. Over the past decade, electricity rates have increased significantly, placing additional financial burdens on residents, businesses, nonprofit organizations, schools, and public agencies. These increases have disproportionately affected working families and lower-income households, many of whom continue to experience rising housing, transportation, food, and healthcare costs.
The California Public Utilities Commission continues to consider applications affecting utility rates, while the California Legislature is evaluating several measures intended to improve affordability, increase transparency in utility rate-setting, strengthen oversight of investor-owned utilities, encourage prudent infrastructure investment, and modernize California's electric grid. Collectively, these measures seek to better protect residential and small business ratepayers while maintaining a safe and reliable electric system.
Resolution Supporting State Legislation to Improve Utility Affordability August 4, 2026
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The proposed resolution establishes the City's formal legislative position in support of the following ten bills currently pending during the 2025–2026 California Legislative Session:
Assembly Bill 1761 (Rogers)
Assembly Bill 2463 (Petrie-Norris)
Assembly Bill 2493 (Petrie-Norris)
Assembly Bill 2516 (Petrie-Norris)
Senate Bill 868 (Wiener)
Senate Bill 886 (Padilla and McNerney)
Senate Bill 905 (Becker)
Senate Bill 943 (Becker)
Senate Bill 1098 (Pérez)
Senate Bill 1138 (Padilla)
Senate Bill 1359 (Stern)
Legislative Review
The initial Councilmember Requested Item presented to the City Council on July 7, 2026 included 13 proposed bills for consideration. The City Council agreed to add support for AB 2493 and indicated there may be a conflict with supporting SB 1359 based on a previous letter of opposition from the City regarding South Coast AQMD Proposed Amended Rules 1111 and 1121.
The City’s position is consistent with its previous position opposing policies that impose disproportionate financial burdens on residents and businesses. The City's support should not be construed as reversing its concerns regarding affordability, local government engagement, or appliance replacement mandates as expressed in its June 2025 letter opposing South Coast AQMD Proposed Amended Rules 1111 and 1121.
Staff consulted with Townsend Public Affairs to determine the status of each bill as the California Legislative Session nears its end for 2026. Following a review of the current legislative status of each measure, three bills, Assembly Bill 1677 (Boerner and Harabedian), Assembly Bill 1774 (Boerner and Harabedian), and Assembly Bill 2338 (Ransom), were omitted from the proposed resolution because they were held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee's suspense file and did not advance. As a result, those measures are no longer active for consideration during the current legislative session.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
Resolution Supporting State Legislation to Improve Utility Affordability August 4, 2026
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EXHIBIT(S)
1. Resolution Supporting State Legislation Regarding Utility Affordability Submitted By: Sylvia Vazquez, Deputy City Manager
Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager