SB 355 (Eggman) Multifamily Affordable Housing Solar Roofs Program

Spot Bill.

Existing law vests the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) with regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations (Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs), e.g., PG&E). Decisions of the CPUC adopted the California Solar Initiative, to be administered by the State’s three largest IOUs and subject to the CPUC’s supervision.

Existing law requires the CPUC to ensure that not less than 10% of the funds for the California Solar Initiative are used for the installation of solar energy systems on low-income residential housing. Pursuant to this requirement, the commission adopted decisions that established the Multifamily Affordable Housing Solar Roofs Program, pursuant to which the electrical corporations provide monetary incentives for the installation of solar energy systems on low-income residential housing.

Existing law requires the CPUC, beginning with the 2016–17 fiscal year and ending with the 2019–20 fiscal year, to authorize the annual allocation of certain amounts of moneys for the Multifamily Affordable Housing Solar Roofs Program. Existing law authorizes the commission to continue authorizing the allocation of those moneys through June 30, 2026, if the commission determines that revenues are available and that there is adequate interest and participation in the program.

This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to the provisions authorizing the program.

Committee Location: Senate Rules Committee

Full bill text and related information.

Bill Author

Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman

California State Senate, District 5

Dr. Susan Talamantes Eggman was elected to the State Senate in November of 2020, serving the 5th Senate District which is comprised of San Joaquin County, a significant portion of Stanislaus County, and the Sacramento County community of Galt. Susan served in the State Assembly from December of 2012 through November of 2020. Susan joined the U.S. Army out of high school and served four years as a medic. After her service, she completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in social work at California State University, Stanislaus. She worked as a mental health provider and medical social worker before completing a Ph.D. at Portland State University. Prior to joining the State Assembly, Susan was a Professor of Social Work at CSU, Sacramento. Susan is a former member of Stockton’s City Council and the first Latina elected to that office. While in the Assembly, Susan authored legislation to support the rights of undocumented residents who are victims of crimes; authored legislation to increase diversion programs as an alternative to incarceration for minor drug crimes; and authored the law that established the Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing Program – which will invest up to $1 billion over ten years to install solar roofs and provide electricity bill savings to residents of multifamily housing in disadvantaged communities.

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