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AB-1757 • 2026

Energy: nuclear facilities.

Energy: nuclear facilities.

Children Energy Technology
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Gallagher
Last action
2026-04-06
Official status
In committee: Set, first hearing. Failed passage. Reconsideration granted.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and digest do not provide specifics on what constitutes 'nonsubstantive changes' or how microreactors will be exempted from existing prohibitions.

Nuclear Energy Rules

AB-1757 makes minor adjustments to existing rules about nuclear power plants and exempts a new type of small reactor called a microreactor from certain regulations.

What This Bill Does

  • Makes nonsubstantive changes to the law regarding certification of nuclear fission thermal powerplants.
  • Exempts nuclear microreactors, as defined, from existing prohibitions on certification and land use.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission
  • Companies that want to build nuclear power plants or microreactors

Terms To Know

microreactor
A small, portable nuclear reactor used for generating electricity.
certification
The process of officially approving a project to go ahead.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not provide details on how the new microreactor exemption will be enforced.
  • Does not specify what conditions must be met for large nuclear power plants to be built or certified in California.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-06 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Failed passage. Reconsideration granted.

  2. 2026-03-17 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on NAT. RES.

  3. 2026-03-16 California Legislative Information

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on NAT. RES. Read second time and amended.

  4. 2026-03-16 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Coms. on NAT. RES. and U. & E.

  5. 2026-02-10 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 12.

  6. 2026-02-09 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1757, as amended, Gallagher.
Energy: nuclear facilities.
Existing law prohibits the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission from certifying a nuclear fission thermal powerplant, except for specified powerplants, and provides that a nuclear fission thermal powerplant, except specified powerplants, is not a permitted land use in California unless certain conditions are met regarding the existence of technology for the construction and operation of nuclear fuel rod processing
plants,
plants and of demonstrated technology or means for the disposal of high-level nuclear waste,
as specified.
This bill would
make nonsubstantive changes to that provision.
exempt a nuclear microreactor, as defined, from those provisions.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF