Bill Sponsor
California Assembly Bill 738
Session 20252026
Energy: building standards: photovoltaic requirements.
Active
Active
Vetoed by Governor on Oct 6, 2025
Sponsors
First Action
Feb 18, 2025
Latest Action
Oct 6, 2025
Origin Chamber
Assembly
Type
Bill
Bill Number
738
State
California
Session
20252026
Sponsorship by Party
Republican
Author
Republican
Author
Assembly Votes (3)
Senate Votes (2)
Summary
Existing law authorizes the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to prescribe, by regulation, lighting, insulation, climate control system, and other building design and construction standards that increase efficiency in the use of energy and water for new residential and new nonresidential buildings, and energy and water conservation design standards for new residential and new nonresidential buildings. Pursuant to this authority, the commission has adopted regulations requiring solar-ready buildings and for the installation of photovoltaic systems meeting certain requirements for low-rise residential buildings built on or after January 1, 2020. This bill would, until January 1, 2028, require residential construction intended to repair, restore, or replace a residential building damaged or destroyed as a result of a disaster in an area in which a state of emergency has been proclaimed by the Governor to comply only with the requirements regarding photovoltaic systems pursuant to those regulations, if any, that were in effect at the time the damaged or destroyed building was originally constructed and would prohibit that construction from being required to comply with any additional or conflicting photovoltaic system requirements in effect at the time of repair, restoration, or replacement. The bill would only apply to the construction of a building if certain conditions are met with respect to the building owner's income and insurance coverage and to the location and square footage of the construction. Because a local agency would be required to determine whether any older applicable photovoltaic requirements are met, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Actions (19)
10/06/2025
Assembly
Consideration of Governor's veto pending.
10/06/2025
Assembly
Vetoed by Governor.
09/23/2025
California State Legislature
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
09/12/2025
Assembly
In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.
09/11/2025
Senate
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 34. Noes 3. Page 2919.).
08/20/2025
Senate
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
08/19/2025
Senate
From committee: Be ordered to second reading pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8.
07/08/2025
Senate
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 14. Noes 1.) (July 7). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
05/28/2025
Senate
Referred to Com. on E., U & C.
05/20/2025
Senate
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
05/19/2025
Assembly
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 56. Noes 3. Page 1589.)
04/24/2025
Assembly
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
04/23/2025
Assembly
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (April 23).
04/10/2025
Assembly
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
04/09/2025
Assembly
Read second time and amended.
04/08/2025
Assembly
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 10. Noes 1.) (April 7).
03/03/2025
Assembly
Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
02/19/2025
Assembly
From printer. May be heard in committee March 21.
02/18/2025
Assembly
Read first time. To print.
Sources
Record Created
Feb 19, 2025 5:56:56 AM
Record Updated
Nov 19, 2025 8:40:34 AM