Sacramento, California - Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia’s AB 197 and AB 866, critical bills to our region passed today out of the Assembly.  AB 197 requires the Public Utilities Commission to direct investor and publicly owned utilities to procure renewable energy resources that supplement intermittent renewable resources, such as wind and solar.. AB 866 expands the role of the state Small Business Advocate to assisting small businesses overcome the challenges they face in meeting regulatory mandates.

“As we move towards utilizing more renewable energy and less gas, AB 197 will help ensure a reliable and low-carbon energy source for Californians” said Garcia.

AB 197 would help set a bold but achievable goal of utilizing a minimum of 50 percent renewable energy resources by 2030, which was highlighted by the Governor during his State of the State address earlier this month.

“Research shows that small businesses are most affected by the cost of regulatory compliance," Garcia said, "Small businesses also have the least ability to monitor and engage with the various state rulemaking entities. There has to be a better way for the state to adopt regulations that don't unfairly burden small business."

AB 866 will also require the state agency to develop a small business compliance guide in partnership with federal agency, under the federal Small Business Regulatory Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-121).

Other bills to mention that passed the Assembly Floor today:

• AB 1461 (Gonzalez/ E. Garcia) modernizes how the Secretary of State’s office (SOS) and the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) work together to register eligible citizens to vote, thereby increasing opportunities for participation in democracy.

• AB 401 (Dodd) This bill requires the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD), in collaboration with the Board of Equalization (BOE) and relevant stakeholders, to develop a plan to fund and implement a Low-Income Water Rate Assistance Program by January 1, 2017, for households with less than 200% of the federal poverty guideline level.

The bill move next to the Senate for consideration.