AB 2700 Advances to Senate Floor
Published Friday, September 4, 2026
On Aug. 13, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved Assembly Bill 2700 (Joe Patterson, R-Rocklin) on a 7-0 vote with amendments. The bill would require the California Public Utilities Commission to assess by Jan. 1, 2028, verified restitution shortfalls for victims of utility-caused wildfires occurring before July 12, 2019, and recommend mechanisms for electrical corporations to fully compensate victims.
The recommendations must consider nonratepayer funding options, including shareholder dividends, retained earnings or equity contributions, debt and existing wildfire-related financial structures, and may not allow utilities to recover restitution payments through customer rates. The Appropriations amendments clarify that the mechanisms are recommendations to be included in the CPUC report and cannot be implemented without additional legislative authorization.
On Aug. 17, AB 2700 was ordered to third reading in the Senate. California Farm Bureau supports AB 2700. Staff contact: Abby Carlson, acarlson@cfbf.com.
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