What SB 1359 does
Summary from the Legislative Counsel's Digest of the enrolled text, September 2, 2026. Read the full text on leginfo.
How it got here
Senator Stern introduced SB 1359 on . The text was amended 0 times, and heard in 5 committee hearings before its final floor votes.
- Senate Floor, May 27, 2026: 23 ayes, 13 noes.
- Assembly Floor, August 26, 2026: 47 ayes, 20 noes.
Committee votes along the way:
- Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications, April 21, 2026: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 10-4.
- Senate Appropriations, May 4, 2026: Placed on suspense file, 7-0.
- Senate Appropriations, May 14, 2026: Do pass as amended, 5-2.
- Assembly Utilities and Energy, June 24, 2026: Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 12-5.
- Assembly Appropriations, August 5, 2026: Do pass., 9-4.
Who supports and opposes SB 1359
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 26, 2026 lists 30 organizations in support and 124 in opposition. When Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications first listed positions on April 19, 2026, the count was 28 in support and 64 opposed. By the Senate Floor Analyses analysis of August 26, 2026 it was 30 to 124.
In support: 350 Bay Area Action; 350 Humboldt; 350 Sacramento; 350 Silicon Valley; Active San Gabriel Valley; All-Electric California; Building Decarbonization Coalition Action Fund; California Environmental Voters; and 22 more.
Opposed: Supervisor Chris Parlier, Kern County District 2; Supervisor Amy Shuklian, Tulare County District 3; Abound Food Care; Agricultural Energy Consumers Association; American Gas Association; Anita’s Mexican Food; Antelope Valley Economic Development & Growth; Arrowhead United Way; and 116 more.
Read the Senate Floor Analyses analysis.
Our read
Analysis by Capitol Axis, drawn from the committee analyses and vote record for SB 1359.
The opposition arrived late: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications listed 64 opposed, and by Senate Floor Analyses it was 124. An industry that shows up that late has usually read an amendment it cannot live with.
The 124 organizations opposed include Supervisor Chris Parlier, Kern County District 2, Supervisor Amy Shuklian, Tulare County District 3 and Abound Food Care, spread across 7 distinct sectors. A front that wide is not assembled over one provision.
The 30 organizations in support include 350 Bay Area Action, 350 Humboldt and 350 Sacramento.
What happens next
It reached the Governor's desk on September 8, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
The Governor can sign the bill, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until the decision, sign and veto request letters are the remaining channel, and the Department of Finance's enrolled bill report carries weight on anything with a fiscal effect. If signed, most provisions take effect January 1, and implementation moves to the agencies named in the bill.
What it means for data center organizations
Two decisions follow from a bill at this stage. The first is whether to weigh in with the Governor's office before the thirty-day window closes. The second is how to prepare for implementation if it becomes law: which agency writes the rules, when the comment period opens, and which obligations begin January 1.
The data centers group at Capitol Axis handles that for data center clients.
Questions about SB 1359
What does SB 1359 do?
SB 1359 concerns natural gas ratepayer protection act. See the Legislative Counsel's Digest on leginfo for the full summary.
Has SB 1359 passed the California Legislature?
It reached the Governor's desk on September 8, 2026. Bills presented after the Legislature adjourned on August 31 must be signed or vetoed within thirty days.
Who supports and opposes SB 1359?
The Senate Floor Analyses analysis dated August 26, 2026 lists 30 organizations in support and 124 in opposition. Supporters include 350 Bay Area Action; 350 Humboldt; 350 Sacramento. Opponents include Supervisor Chris Parlier, Kern County District 2; Supervisor Amy Shuklian, Tulare County District 3; Abound Food Care.
What happens next with SB 1359?
The Governor can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until then, sign and veto request letters are the remaining channel, and the Department of Finance's enrolled bill report carries weight on anything with a fiscal effect.