AB-915 • 2026

Dam safety: state supervision: exceptions.

Energy Technology

Vetoed

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

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

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Dam Safety: Exceptions in Kern County

AB-915 creates an exemption from state supervision and regulation requirements for certain water storage facilities related to energy storage systems using compressed air technology in Kern County, California.

What This Bill Does

Exempts specific water storage facilities associated with energy storage systems that use compressed air technology in Kern County from state safety regulations if they meet certain criteria.
Requires these exempted facilities to have a maximum water pool height of 25 feet or less and a maximum storage capacity of 1,500 acre-feet or less.
Specifies that the design and construction of these facilities must be supervised by a registered civil engineer.

Who It Names or Affects

Energy companies operating compressed air energy storage systems in Kern County
State agencies responsible for dam safety regulation

Terms To Know

compressed air technology: A method of storing and generating electricity by compressing air into underground caverns or tanks.
registered civil engineer: An engineer licensed to practice in the field of civil engineering, which includes designing and supervising construction projects.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill was vetoed by the governor.
It only applies to specific water storage facilities related to energy storage systems in Kern County that meet certain criteria.

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.
2025-09-24 California Legislative Information
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
2025-09-13 California Legislative Information
Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 3460.).
2025-09-13 California Legislative Information
Joint Rules 61(a)(14) and 51(a)(4) suspended. (Ayes 59. Noes 20. Page 3413.)
2025-09-12 California Legislative Information
From committee: That the Senate amendments be concurred in. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (September 12).
2025-09-12 California Legislative Information
Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 3356.)
2025-09-12 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on W. P., & W. pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2.
2025-09-12 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
2025-09-11 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 2884.).
2025-08-20 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-08-19 California Legislative Information
From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.
2025-07-17 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-07-16 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (July 16).
2025-06-25 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on N.R. & W.
2025-06-24 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
2025-06-24 California Legislative Information
Withdrawn from committee.
2025-06-23 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on E., U & C.
2025-06-11 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on E., U & C.
2025-06-03 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2025-06-02 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 1910.)
2025-05-27 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (May 23).
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Ayes 51. Noes 16. Page 1644.)
2025-05-14 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2025-05-01 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 18. Noes 0.) (April 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-04-23 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on U. & E.
2025-04-22 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on U. & E. Read second time and amended.
2025-04-21 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on U. & E.
2025-02-20 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 22.
2025-02-19 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 915, Petrie-Norris.
Dam safety: state supervision: exceptions.
Existing law regulates the construction and operation of dams and exempts certain structures for these purposes. Existing law exempts certain wastewater treatment and storage ponds constructed as part of a wastewater control facility, as provided, from the requirements for state regulation and supervision of the safety of dams.
This bill would additionally exempt from the requirements for state regulation and supervision of the safety of dams certain water storage facilities, structures, and activities associated with an energy storage system facility located in the County of Kern, as specified, that uses compressed air technology and meets certain criteria, including, among other things, a maximum water pool height of 25 feet or less
from the final engineered grade, a maximum storage capacity of 1,500 acre-feet or less, and supervision of the design and construction by a registered civil engineer.
This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the County of Kern.

Current Bill Text

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