Newsom says Patterson's bill to lower electricity rates 'deserves attention' but vetoes AB 1273

Californians continue to pay some of the highest electricity rates in the nation, and for families in our region, those bills are unsustainable. Elected leaders should be doing everything possible to bring costs down, especially for something as essential as electricity. That's why I authored Assembly Bill 1273, a bipartisan bill designed to protect ratepayers and make utility rate-setting more transparent. The bill passed every committee and houses of the Legislature with strong bipartisan support. Unfortunately, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed the bill despite admitting its benefits. AB 1273 focused on two major issues driving up costs: preventing a utility rate increase and bringing rate hikes into the light. The bill extended an existing exemption for hydroelectric energy, one of the cleanest and most affordable sources we have. Without that exemption, utilities could be forced to buy more expensive energy, passing the cost directly to ratepayers. By reducing unnecessary and duplicative state requirements, my bill helped prevent an unnecessary energy hike while still moving forward with California's climate goals. AB 1273 also would have ensured that any substantial utility rate increase could no longer be quietly passed through on a "Consent Agenda." Under current rules, major utility rate hikes can sometimes be buried in a Consent Agenda, a procedural tool that allows boards to approve non-controversial items without public discussion. That might work for approving meeting minutes or minor contracts but not for multi-billion-dollar rate cases. Instead, my bill would have required substantial rate increases to have a full public debate. This ensures greater transparency and gives the public a real voice in decisions that hit their wallets. In his veto message, the governor admitted that parts of the bill "deserve attention," but said the state needs to preserve "flexibility" for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). I think that's the wrong priority. It's a decision that prioritizes bureaucracy over common sense. Flexibility for state regulators doesn't help families struggling with their bills. Transparency does. Affordability does. And that's exactly what AB 1273 would have delivered. By vetoing AB 1273, the governor allows unnecessary regulatory burdens to drive up electricity costs and lets major rate increases avoid public scrutiny. This was a reasonable, targeted fix that could have brought real relief to residents. The veto, however, keeps in place outdated red tape and a process that can hide massive rate increases from the public. That's not good government, and it's not fair to ratepayers. I remain committed to this fight. The governor's public acknowledgement of the benefit of my bill shows we're onto something and the vast bipartisan support of my bill from both Republicans and Democrats shows I've rallied the support needed to get legislation out. In the Senate, the bill passed without any "no" votes. In the Assembly, it moved forward with an overwhelming majority of support. That level of agreement is rare in Sacramento, especially on energy issues. It speaks to the hard work I have been able to accomplish. I'm already working on bills for 2026 that will continue pushing for lower utility rates and greater public accountability. Despite this veto, I'm proud of the work we've accomplished in District 5 this year. We've blocked harmful legislation that would have stripped away local control for our communities. We've passed key reforms to strengthen public safety, close legal loopholes, improve transparency, and fight government overreach. And we've continued to lead the fight for affordability. There's more work to do, and with another year left in this term, I'm committed to keep delivering for Placer and El Dorado counties, and for all Californians who deserve relief. Assemblyman Joe Patterson (R-Rocklin) represents California's 5th Assembly District, which includes parts of Placer and El Dorado counties. A former mayor and small business owner, he's a leading advocate for cost-of-living relief, transparency and public safety.