WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 4 REQUIREMENT TYPES
How Is This Bill Enforced
Verbatim statutory text on the left; plain-language analysis and a per-section checklist on the right. Numbered markers cross-link to the matching checklist row.
(a)–(e) For purposes of this chapter, (b) "Artificial intelligence modelArtificial intelligence model"Artificial intelligence model" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(b)" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments. (c) "Electrical corporationElectrical corporation"Electrical corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 218.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(c)" has the same meaning as defined in Section 218. (d) "Gas corporationGas corporation"Gas corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 222.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(d)" has the same meaning as defined in Section 222. (e) "Local publicly owned electric utilityLocal publicly owned electric utility"Local publicly owned electric utility" has the same meaning as defined in Section 224.3.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(e)" has the same meaning as defined in Section 224.3.
Section 8510 establishes the definitional framework for the chapter. The artificial intelligence model definition is broad, encompassing any engineered or machine-based system that varies in autonomy and can infer from inputs how to generate outputs influencing physical or virtual environments — closely tracking the NIST AI definition. The section cross-references existing Public Utilities Code definitions for electrical corporation, gas corporation, and local publicly owned electric utility rather than creating new entity categories.
(a)(1) 1 As part of a new or existing proceeding, the commission shall, on or before January 1, 2028, adopt standards for an electrical corporationElectrical corporation"Electrical corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 218.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(c)'s or gas corporationGas corporation"Gas corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 222.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(d)'s use of artificial intelligence modelsArtificial intelligence model"Artificial intelligence model" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(b). The standards adopted by the commission shall do at least all of the following: (1) Establish disclosure requirements for an electrical corporationElectrical corporation"Electrical corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 218.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(c) or gas corporationGas corporation"Gas corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 222.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(d) to specify the types of artificial intelligence modelsArtificial intelligence model"Artificial intelligence model" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(b) it uses and how those models are used by the electrical corporationElectrical corporation"Electrical corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 218.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(c) or gas corporationGas corporation"Gas corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 222.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(d).
(a)(2) 2 Require an electrical corporationElectrical corporation"Electrical corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 218.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(c) or gas corporationGas corporation"Gas corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 222.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(d) to identify the employee job classifications impacted by any planned implementation of an artificial intelligence modelArtificial intelligence model"Artificial intelligence model" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(b) and efforts taken to ensure effective education, training, and retention for impacted employees.
(a)(3) 3 Identify steps an electrical corporationElectrical corporation"Electrical corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 218.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(c) or gas corporationGas corporation"Gas corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 222.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(d) shall take to ensure that artificial intelligence modelsArtificial intelligence model"Artificial intelligence model" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(b) do not impact utility safety, affordability, and reliability.
(a)(4) 4 Establish requirements for human review and approval for the deployment and use of artificial intelligence modelsArtificial intelligence model"Artificial intelligence model" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(b) to ensure that electrical and gas services are safe, affordable, and reliable, including requirements for the placement of human review in the deployment of artificial intelligence modelsArtificial intelligence model"Artificial intelligence model" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(b).
(a)(5) 5 Ensure that deployment of artificial intelligence modelsArtificial intelligence model"Artificial intelligence model" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(b) do not displace utility employees needed for the safe, affordable, and reliable provision of electrical and gas services. For any job classification identified as responsible for human review and approval of an artificial intelligence modelArtificial intelligence model"Artificial intelligence model" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(b), the electrical corporationElectrical corporation"Electrical corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 218.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(c) or gas corporationGas corporation"Gas corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 222.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(d) shall demonstrate that its workforce plan maintains sufficient personnel in that job classification to ensure that human review and approval processes are not rendered nominal by understaffing.
(a)(6) 6 Establish requirements for human review and approval of any artificial intelligence modelArtificial intelligence model"Artificial intelligence model" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(b) that does any of the following: (A) Makes or directly implements operational decisions affecting the mapping, design, configuration, operation, maintenance, or oversight of electrical or gas infrastructure without a mandatory human approval step integrated into the operational workflow before implementation. (B) Generates recommendations that the electrical corporationElectrical corporation"Electrical corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 218.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(c) or gas corporationGas corporation"Gas corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 222.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(d) has configured to be automatically implemented without case-by-case human review. (C) Performs any act that could directly and foreseeably result in physical harm to a person or a service interruption or outage, or impact on public safety.
(b) 6 The requirements for human review and approval of artificial intelligence modelsArtificial intelligence model"Artificial intelligence model" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(b) in subdivision (a) shall ensure staff conducting the review and approval meet all of the following criteria: (1) Have relevant expertise in the operational area affected by the artificial intelligence modelArtificial intelligence model"Artificial intelligence model" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(b). (2) Have been provided sufficient information, time, and access to data to meaningfully evaluate the artificial intelligence modelArtificial intelligence model"Artificial intelligence model" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(b)'s output or recommendations. (3) Retain unimpeded authority to reject, modify, or defer implementation of the artificial intelligence modelArtificial intelligence model"Artificial intelligence model" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(b) without adverse consequence to the reviewer. (4) Have not been subject to a workflow design, performance metric, or operational pressure that renders rejection of the system output functionally impractical.
(c) The commission may prohibit an electrical corporationElectrical corporation"Electrical corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 218.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(c)'s or gas corporationGas corporation"Gas corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 222.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(d)'s use of an artificial intelligence modelArtificial intelligence model"Artificial intelligence model" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(b) if the commission finds that deployment of the artificial intelligence modelArtificial intelligence model"Artificial intelligence model" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(b) would negatively impact the provision of safe, affordable, and reliable electrical or gas service.
(d) 7 The commission shall direct an electrical corporationElectrical corporation"Electrical corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 218.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(c) or gas corporationGas corporation"Gas corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 222.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(d) to file a plan that demonstrates the corporation's compliance with the standards adopted pursuant to this section. The commission may request records as it deems necessary to verify compliance with the standards adopted pursuant to this section.
(e) 7 The commission shall ensure that a plan filed by an electrical corporationElectrical corporation"Electrical corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 218.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(c) pursuant to subdivision (d) may be reviewed by the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety to ensure that any artificial intelligence modelArtificial intelligence model"Artificial intelligence model" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(b) used for wildfire mitigation is consistent with the electrical corporationElectrical corporation"Electrical corporation" has the same meaning as defined in Section 218.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(c)'s wildfire mitigation plan developed pursuant to Section 8386.
(f) 8 The commission shall ensure that impacted bargaining units are consulted in the development of plans filed pursuant to subdivision (d).
(g) 9 Each community choice aggregator established pursuant to Section 366.2 shall adopt a policy regarding its use of an artificial intelligence modelArtificial intelligence model"Artificial intelligence model" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(b). (2) A policy adopted pursuant to this subdivision shall be consistent with the standards adopted by the commission pursuant to subdivision (a).
(h) 9 Each local publicly owned electric utilityLocal publicly owned electric utility"Local publicly owned electric utility" has the same meaning as defined in Section 224.3.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(e) shall adopt a policy regarding the its use of an artificial intelligence modelArtificial intelligence model"Artificial intelligence model" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(b). (2) A policy adopted pursuant to this subdivision shall be consistent with the standards adopted by the commission pursuant subdivision (a).
Section 8511 is the operative heart of the bill. It directs the CPUC to adopt standards by January 1, 2028, covering six substantive domains: disclosure of AI model types and uses, workforce impact identification, safety and reliability protections, human review and approval requirements, workforce displacement safeguards, and heightened human oversight for AI models that make or directly implement operational decisions affecting critical utility infrastructure.
The human review requirements in subdivisions (a)(4), (a)(6), and (b) are unusually detailed for a rulemaking-delegation statute. Subdivision (b) specifies four criteria that reviewers must satisfy — relevant expertise, sufficient information and time, unimpeded rejection authority, and freedom from workflow pressure that renders rejection impractical — establishing a substantive floor that the commission's standards must meet. Subdivision (c) grants the commission authority to prohibit an AI model's deployment outright if it would negatively impact safe, affordable, and reliable service. Subdivisions (d) through (f) require compliance plan filings, coordination with the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety for wildfire-related AI, and consultation with impacted bargaining units.
Subdivisions (g) and (h) extend the framework to community choice aggregators and local publicly owned electric utilities, which must adopt policies consistent with the commission's standards but are not required to file plans with the commission.
(a) This chapter establishes minimum safety and governance standards of artificial intelligence modelsArtificial intelligence model"Artificial intelligence model" means an engineered or machine-based system that varies in its level of autonomy and that can, for explicit or implicit objectives, infer from the input it receives how to generate outputs that can influence physical or virtual environments.Pub. Util. Code § 8510(b).
(b) This chapter does not limit, waive, or alter any rights, remedies, or obligations under state or federal law, including the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. Sec. 151 et seq.), the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 3500) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code), the Ralph C. Dills Act (Chapter 10.3 (commencing with Section 3512) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code), or any collective bargaining agreement, with respect to technological change, staffing, workload, training, or working conditions.
Section 8515 establishes that the chapter sets minimum safety and governance standards and does not limit, waive, or alter any rights, remedies, or obligations under state or federal labor law — including the National Labor Relations Act, the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act, the Ralph C. Dills Act, or any collective bargaining agreement — with respect to technological change, staffing, workload, training, or working conditions.
The provisions of this chapter are severable. If any provision of this chapter or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
Standard severability clause providing that if any provision of the chapter or its application is held invalid, that invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect independently.