AB-2396 • 2026

Community choice aggregators: eligible transmission projects.

Crime Education Energy

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Irwin
Last action: 2026-05-14
Official status: In committee: Held under submission.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on how local agencies and school districts are exempt from reimbursement, nor does it explicitly mention criminal penalties for non-compliance with Public Utilities Commission rules.

Community Choice Aggregators Can Build Transmission Lines

AB-2396 allows community choice aggregators to build and manage electrical transmission lines, substations, and related facilities.

What This Bill Does

Allows community choice aggregators to sponsor, develop, finance, construct, operate, lease, purchase, and maintain electrical transmission lines and substations.
Permits community choice aggregators to own eligible transmission projects regardless of whether the lines serve their customers directly.

Who It Names or Affects

Community choice aggregators
Public Utilities Commission

Terms To Know

community choice aggregator: A local government agency that buys electricity for its residents and businesses.
eligible transmission project: A specific electrical transmission line or related facility approved by the state to receive special financing.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify which community choice aggregators will be involved.
Does not detail how much funding will be available for these projects.

Bill History

2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
In committee: Held under submission.
2026-05-06 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-13 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 8).
2026-03-23 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on U. & E.
2026-03-19 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on U. & E. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-19 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on U. & E.
2026-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2396, as amended, Irwin.
Community choice aggregators:
electrical transmission lines.
eligible transmission projects.
Existing law authorizes a community choice aggregator to aggregate the electrical load of interested electricity consumers within its boundaries and requires a community choice aggregator to file an implementation plan with the Public Utilities Commission, to register with the commission, and to enter into an operating service agreement with an electrical corporation.
Existing law requires the Energy Unit within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development to establish a Transmission Infrastructure Accelerator (accelerator) to develop a financing and development strategy for eligible transmission projects, as defined, to receive California Transmission Accelerator financing, and requires the accelerator to take the necessary steps to accelerate the development and deployment of those
projects to maximize ratepayer savings.
This bill would authorize a community choice aggregator to
sponsor,
develop, finance, construct, operate, lease, purchase, and
maintain electrical transmission lines, and any substations, or other works, facilities, improvements, and property necessary or convenient for the operation of those electrical transmission lines,
own an eligible transmission project,
regardless of whether the electrical transmission lines are used for the purpose of conveying electricity to the customers of the community choice aggregator.
Under existing law, a violation of an order,
decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission is a crime.
Because a violation of a commission action implementing the provisions of this bill would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF