State Legislatures Advance Differing Energy Policy Bills

In late August 2026, the California Legislature passed a bill to legalize plug-in solar technology, joining nearly a dozen other states that have adopted similar measures intended to help homeowners lower electricity costs. In a separate action reported around April 2026, the Alabama Legislature passed a bill affecting the state's Public Service Commission (PSC), the body that regulates utilities, and sent it to Gov. Kay Ivey for consideration. The Alabama bill would shift significant control over the PSC to the governor's office. During the legislative process, lawmakers removed a provision that would have required formal hearings on the state's high electricity bills, replacing it with language expanding gubernatorial authority over the regulator. The bill's own sponsor objected to these changes before the measure was sent to Ivey, according to Alabama Reflector. The California solar measure was described as part of a broader legislative trend, though the specific vote counts, bill numbers, and implementation timeline were not detailed in available reporting. As of the reporting dates, the Alabama bill awaited Gov. Ivey's action, and it remains unconfirmed whether she signed, vetoed, or allowed it to become law. Similarly, the California bill's signature status and effective date were not specified in the available reporting. It remains unresolved what practical effects the Alabama PSC restructuring will have on the hearings process for electricity rates, and what specific technical or regulatory changes the California solar bill entails.