After decades of taking it on the chin from public utility companies like PG&E and Southern California Edison, ratepayers scored a victory this legislative season.

On Saturday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1167, which ends using ratepayer funds for political lobbying, promotion, and other shareholder expenses. The new law also beefs up enforcement against investor-owned utilities that illegally spend ratepayer monies.

The California Ratepayer Protection Act goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

“Every day I hear from constituents who are struggling to pay their skyrocketing utility bills, and today we have finally put an end to the use of ratepayer funds for political and promotional activities that really benefit IOUs and shareholders,” said the bill’s author, Assemblymember Marc

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