AB-44 • 2026

Energy: electrical demand forecasts.

Energy

Vetoed

The latest official action shows the governor vetoed this bill. Check the bill history to see whether lawmakers later overrode that veto.

Sponsor: Schultz
Last action: 2026-01-22
Official status: Consideration of Governor's veto stricken from file.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary text does not provide details on enforcement or penalties if the deadline is missed.

Energy: Electrical Demand Forecasts

This law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to define methods for reducing electricity use by working with energy companies and other groups, focusing on new technologies and programs.

What This Bill Does

Requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to define methodologies for load modification protocols by which a load-serving entity may reduce or modify its electrical demand forecast upon aggregated system operation of behind-the-meter load modifying technologies and programmatic measures deemed reliable.
Specifies that these methods must be defined in consultation with load-serving entities and resource aggregators.
Requires the commission to publicize these methodologies by December 1, 2026.

Who It Names or Affects

The State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission
Load-serving entities such as electrical utilities
Resource aggregators

Terms To Know

load modification protocols: Rules for reducing or changing electricity use.
behind-the-meter load modifying technologies: Technologies that help reduce electricity usage within a building, like smart thermostats.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if the commission fails to meet the December 1, 2026 deadline.
It is unclear how these new methods will be enforced or monitored after they are created.

Bill History

2026-01-22 California Legislative Information
Consideration of Governor's veto stricken from file.
2025-10-01 California Legislative Information
Consideration of Governor's veto pending.
2025-10-01 California Legislative Information
Vetoed by Governor.
2025-09-22 California Legislative Information
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
2025-09-10 California Legislative Information
Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 3211.).
2025-09-09 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
2025-09-09 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2662.).
2025-09-03 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-09-02 California Legislative Information
Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
2025-08-29 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-08-29 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).
2025-08-18 California Legislative Information
In committee: Referred to suspense file.
2025-07-17 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-07-17 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 15. Noes 1.) (July 15).
2025-06-27 California Legislative Information
In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
2025-06-11 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on E., U & C.
2025-05-29 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2025-05-29 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 69. Noes 0. Page 1776.)
2025-05-27 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 23).
2025-05-14 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.
2025-04-24 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 18. Noes 0.) (April 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-04-08 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on U. & E.
2025-04-07 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on U. & E. Read second time and amended.
2025-03-26 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on U. & E.
2025-03-25 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on U. & E. Read second time and amended.
2025-03-24 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on U. & E.
2024-12-03 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee January 2.
2024-12-02 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 44, Schultz.
Energy: electrical demand forecasts.
Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, at least every 2 years, to conduct assessments and forecasts of all aspects of energy industry supply, production, transportation, delivery and distribution, demand, and prices. Existing law authorizes the commission to require the submission of demand forecasts from electrical utilities, among other entities, to perform its assessments and forecasts. Existing law requires the commission to adopt an integrated energy policy report every 2 years.
This bill would require the commission, on or before December 1, 2026, and in consultation with load-serving entities and resource aggregators, to define and publicize methodologies for load modification protocols by which a load-serving entity may reduce or modify its electrical demand forecast upon aggregated
system operation of behind-the-meter load modifying technologies and programmatic measures deemed to reliably reduce or modify the load-serving entity’s electrical demand, as specified.

Current Bill Text

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