AB 196 California Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

School Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program.

AB 196 is a procedural bill that expresses the California Legislature's intent to later enact statutory changes related to the 2025 Budget Act. It does not make any immediate policy changes or affect specific groups; it merely sets the stage for future legislative action. The bill passed the Assembly on March 20, 2025, with 53 votes in favor, and was referred to the Senate Budget and Finance Committee for further review. This is a preparatory step, not a substantive budget measure.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Assembly Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action Aug 30, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

08/28/26 - Amended Senate → AB196 · 1 edit

MINOR

This diff reflects a change in document formatting and presentation rather than a substantive policy change. The bill text content (all statutory amendments, dates, and provisions) is identical between the two versions. The differences consist of converting from a formal legislative document layout (with line numbers, page headers, and correction notes) to a web page rendering with navigation menus, search tools, and metadata fields.

TECHNICAL

The document was reformatted from a traditional legislative bill layout (with numbered lines, page headers/footers, and a corrections section) into a web page presentation with navigation links, quick search fields, and version tracking metadata. No statutory language was changed.

01/08/25 - Introduced → 08/28/26 - Amended Senate · 12 edits · Aug 28, 2026

MAJOR

AB 196 was transformed from a placeholder bill expressing legislative intent to enact Budget Act changes into a substantive bill extending the School Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program through January 1, 2031. The amendment pushes out key deadlines for spending and returning funds, shifts all program funding to the ventilation/energy efficiency sub-program starting July 2026, extends grant liquidation periods, and adds contractor diversity requirements.

TIMELINE

The School Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program's operation is extended from January 1, 2027 to January 1, 2031 (a four-year extension).

The deadline for all allocated funds to be spent or returned to utilities is extended from December 1, 2026 to December 1, 2029.

A new requirement that all allocated funds be encumbered by December 1, 2028 is added.

The liquidation period for grants awarded before August 1, 2026 is extended until October 1, 2029.

The annual reporting requirement to the Legislature is extended from March 1, 2027 to March 1, 2031.

The automatic repeal date for Section 25208 of the Public Resources Code is extended from January 1, 2032 to January 1, 2036.

FISCAL

Beginning July 1, 2026, 100 percent of program moneys must be allocated to the SRVEVR Program (School Reopening Ventilation and Energy Efficiency Verification and Repair), eliminating the previous 25 percent allocation to the SNPFA Program (Noncompliant Plumbing Fixture and Appliance).

The bill now makes an appropriation by extending the term of a continuous appropriation, changing the fiscal committee designation from 'no' to 'yes.'

REQUIREMENT

The Energy Commission must make all reasonable efforts to ensure schools have the opportunity to apply for and receive grants and complete funded projects before the spending and reversion deadlines.

The Energy Commission must take steps to ensure a diverse group of contractors are aware of funding opportunities available through the program.

SCOPE

The state-mandated local program designation changes from 'no' to 'yes' because certain provisions would be part of the Public Utilities Act, violation of which is a crime.

TECHNICAL

A no-reimbursement clause is added under Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution, stating no reimbursement is required because costs are incurred only through creation or elimination of crimes.

Floor votes · Assembly Mar 20, 2025

How they voted

52–17

Passed · 10 other

Total votes 79

Mar 20, 2025

D Democratic59

52 Yea 7

88% Yea

R Republican20

17 Nay 3

85% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Aug 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

Measure version as amended on August 28 corrected.

upper

Aug 28, 2026

Introduced

From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on B. & F. R.

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Committee

Referred to Com. on B. & F. R.

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 53. Noes 17. Page 761.)

lower

Feb 3, 2025

Committee

Referred to Com. on BUDGET.

lower

Jan 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

From printer. May be heard in committee February 8.

lower

0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

What changed between versions

How they voted

Actions timeline

Sponsors