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SB-80 • 2026

Energy: Fusion Research and Development Innovation Initiative.

Energy: Fusion Research and Development Innovation Initiative.

Budget Energy Taxes Technology
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Caballero (S) , McNerney
Last action
2025-10-03
Official status
Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 334, Statutes of 2025.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not specify that it aims to make California a leader in fusion energy technology.

Fusion Energy Research and Development

This law establishes an initiative within the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to support fusion energy research and development in California.

What This Bill Does

  • Establishes the Fusion Research and Development Innovation Initiative within the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission.
  • Requires the commission to provide financial incentives for projects that advance fusion energy research and development.
  • Aims to accelerate the deployment of new technologies supporting the commercialization of fusion energy.
  • Sets a goal to deliver California's first fusion energy pilot project by the 2040s.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission
  • Fusion energy research projects in California

Terms To Know

Commission
The State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, which oversees the state’s energy policies.
Commercialization
The process of bringing a new technology or product to market for widespread use.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Implementation depends on funding from the Legislature.
  • Provisions will be repealed by January 1, 2028.

Bill History

  1. 2025-10-03 California Legislative Information

    Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 334, Statutes of 2025.

  2. 2025-10-03 California Legislative Information

    Approved by the Governor.

  3. 2025-09-23 California Legislative Information

    Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.

  4. 2025-09-13 California Legislative Information

    Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 36. Noes 0. Page 3040.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.

  5. 2025-09-13 California Legislative Information

    In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.

  6. 2025-09-12 California Legislative Information

    Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 80. Noes 0. Page 3424.) Ordered to the Senate.

  7. 2025-09-08 California Legislative Information

    Ordered to third reading.

  8. 2025-09-08 California Legislative Information

    Read third time and amended.

  9. 2025-09-08 California Legislative Information

    Joint Rule 61(a)(13) suspended. (Ayes 58. Noes 20. Page 2974.)

  10. 2025-09-02 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  11. 2025-08-29 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (August 29).

  12. 2025-08-20 California Legislative Information

    August 20 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file.

  13. 2025-06-27 California Legislative Information

    Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  14. 2025-06-26 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 18. Noes 0.) (June 25).

  15. 2025-06-09 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on U. & E.

  16. 2025-06-03 California Legislative Information

    In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.

  17. 2025-06-02 California Legislative Information

    Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 38. Noes 0. Page 1389.) Ordered to the Assembly.

  18. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  19. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 1191.) (May 23).

  20. 2025-05-16 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing May 23.

  21. 2025-05-12 California Legislative Information

    May 12 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.

  22. 2025-05-02 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing May 12.

  23. 2025-04-28 California Legislative Information

    Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  24. 2025-04-24 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 16. Noes 0. Page 810.) (April 21).

  25. 2025-04-10 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing April 21.

  26. 2025-03-18 California Legislative Information

    Re-referred to Com. on E., U & C.

  27. 2025-03-18 California Legislative Information

    Withdrawn from committee.

  28. 2025-03-17 California Legislative Information

    From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.

  29. 2025-01-29 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Coms. on B. P. & E.D. and E., U & C.

  30. 2025-01-17 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be acted upon on or after February 16.

  31. 2025-01-16 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 80, Caballero.
Energy: Fusion Research and Development Innovation Initiative.
Existing law establishes the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, with various responsibilities with respect to developing and implementing the state’s energy policies. Existing law requires, as part of the 2027 edition of the integrated energy policy report, the commission to include an assessment of the potential for fusion energy to contribute to California’s power supply. Existing law requires the commission to carry out technical assessment studies on all forms of energy, including, among others, advanced nuclear powerplant concepts, fusion, and fuel cells.
This bill would establish the Fusion Research and Development Innovation
Initiative within the commission to accelerate the development and growth of fusion energy by advancing fusion science and technology. The bill would require the commission to administer the initiative and provide financial incentives for projects that, among other things, advance research and development into fusion energy, accelerate the deployment of new research and technology capabilities that support the commercialization of fusion energy, or achieve the initiative’s goal of delivering the world’s first fusion energy pilot project in the state by the 2040s, as specified. The bill would make its provisions operative, and implementation of its provisions
contingent, upon an appropriation by the Legislature for the initiative. The bill would repeal its provisions on January 1, 2028.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF