Sacramento, CA – Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) proudly announced that the bills she authored have passed the California State Assembly and are now advancing to the State Senate for further consideration. These measures reflect her ongoing commitment to addressing California’s most pressing challenges – from reducing energy costs and advancing clean energy to enhancing public safety and strengthening wildfire resilience.
“Californians are demanding action to lower costs, strengthen public safety, and build more resilient communities — and these bills help deliver on those priorities. I’m proud that the Assembly has advanced this package of legislation to help tackle the rising cost of energy, modernize and strengthen our electrical grid, and ensure greater accountability in decisions that impact ratepayers. We are also taking meaningful steps to protect Californians on our roads and in our communities by cracking down on drunk driving and strengthening protections for victims of fraud. Together, these measures reflect a commitment to making California safer, more affordable, and better prepared for the challenges ahead.”
Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine)
Clean Energy & Affordability
AB 2463: When the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) authorizes utility profits, Californians pay the bill. The authorized Return on Equity determines how much profit utilities earn on every dollar of shareholder-funded investments in utility infrastructure and wildfire safety investments. AB 2463 cuts through the black box of utility ratemaking — requiring the CPUC to clearly document how it sets profits for utility shareholders.
AB 2493: California’s clean energy future depends on connecting new power to the grid quickly and affordably. AB 2493 ensures California can deliver clean, reliable energy while capturing billions in federal tax benefits for California ratepayers.
AB 2516: California’s workers, businesses, and communities depend on an electric grid that is affordable, reliable, and prepared for the clean energy transition. This bill establishes the California Grid Manufacturing Initiative to reduce the cost of critical grid equipment through coordinated bulk purchasing and expanded in-state manufacturing.
Public Safety & Crime
AB 1830: California is at the epicenter of the DUI crisis in the United States. Deaths because of drunk drivers have gone up by 53% in our state over the past five years. These aren't just statistics, they represent lives lost, families devastated, and communities impacted. AB 1830 requires anyone convicted of drunk driving to install an ignition interlock device—a breathalyzer. In the 35 other states that have mandated breathalyzers, those states have seen a significant decrease in DUI related accidents and fatalities. This bill is an opportunity for us to stop these tragedies before the car even starts.
AB 2553: Real estate fraud can rob victims of everything they've worked for — often stripping them of their homes and life savings. Under current law, perpetrators are frequently released from probation before they have repaid what they owe. AB 2553 extends the maximum probation period for specified real estate fraud offenses, giving courts the necessary time to hold offenders accountable and ensure victims receive full restitution.
Wildfires & Disasters
AB 2513: Wildfires have become a persistent and growing threat across California. Over the past decade, more than half of the 20 largest and most destructive wildfires in state history have burned millions of acres and destroyed tens of thousands of homes and businesses. Despite this risk, existing state law primarily focuses wildfire prevention efforts on forested areas—leaving high-risk shrubland and chaparral regions, especially in Southern California, without adequate access to funding and resources. AB 2513 addresses this gap by updating state law to include chaparral and shrubland ecosystems in wildfire prevention and forest health programs. The bill also expands the state’s Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program to support regional, landscape-scale wildfire mitigation efforts and improve access to local assistance grants.
AB 2385: California communities are facing more frequent and severe natural disasters, but local governments lack clear authority to plan for and execute recovery. AB 2385 restores and clarifies critical tools so that when disaster strikes, cities and counties can rebuild faster, safer, and more resiliently. AB 2385 authorizes local disaster recovery plans, including the creation of reconstruction agencies; clarifies and enumerates powers necessary for recovery, including property acquisition, financing, and construction; and provides state-supported guidance to help cities develop model ordinances.
Housing Affordability
AB 2044: With housing costs already at crisis levels, Californians can't afford hidden price hikes buried in new building codes. AB 2044 ensures transparency and accountability by prohibiting the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC) from adopting a new building standard unless it includes a clear assessment of the cost of compliance.
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Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris represents California’s 73rd District including Irvine, Costa Mesa, and Tustin. She is the Chair of the Utilities and Energy Committee. She is also a member of the Budget Committee; Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee; Insurance Committee, and Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. After working her way through Yale University, where she double majored in Economics and English, Cottie had a successful 20-year career in finance and technology. She helped to build businesses and led teams at Fortune 500 corporations, small companies and start-ups. Follow the Assemblywoman on Instagram (@asmcottie) and Facebook (AssemblywomanCPN).