All Roll Calls
Yes: 201 • No: 2
CaliforniaSB 5672025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Gravity-Based Energy Storage Well Pilot Program.
Sponsored By: Monique Limón (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.
Annual oversight fee per converted well
Operators pay an annual per‑well charge to fund state oversight. The fee equals the state’s total regulatory costs for the year divided by the number of gravity‑based storage wells that year.
Prevailing wages on conversion projects
Before approval, operators must commit that all contractors and subs pay at least prevailing wages and use a skilled and trained workforce for apprenticeable work. If a project labor agreement already requires this, that satisfies the rule. Workers on these projects get at least the prevailing wage or the correct apprentice rate.
Pilot review by 2033, ends 2035
By January 1, 2033, the Division evaluates the pilot, holds at least one public meeting, and sends recommendations to lawmakers. The pilot ends and is repealed on January 1, 2035. Authorizations end then. If no new program covers them, those wells become idle wells again under Section 3206.
Rules to convert wells for energy storage
The state runs a pilot that lets the Division approve up to 250 well conversions for gravity-based energy storage. To qualify, a well must be sealed, kept away from oil reservoirs, keep mechanical integrity, and not let fluids reach usable aquifers. Before conversion, you file a written notice and submit required lab tests from a state‑certified lab to GeoTracker; work must start within 24 months or the approval is canceled. If the well was a Class II well, you must get written federal authorization before state approval. The Division lists all converted wells on its public website.
Testing, leak alerts, and cleanup duties
Operators must pressure‑test well integrity before conversion and at least each year after, keep results in the well record, and monitor for leaks continuously. They must file an annual report on wells converted, past leaks, cycles per day, and energy produced. If a well loses integrity, it must stop operating and the operator must notify the Division, the air board, the regional water board, and schools or people within 3,200 feet. If integrity is not restored, the well must be plugged and abandoned within one year or scheduled in an approved idle‑well plan. Converting a well does not remove duties to plug, abandon, decommission, and clean up the site.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Monique Limón
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 9/9/2025
Item 63 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 37 • No: 1
House vote • 9/8/2025
Item 237 — Assembly AFLOOR
Yes: 79 • No: 0
legislature vote • 8/29/2025
Vote in CX25
Yes: 11 • No: 0
legislature vote • 6/23/2025
Vote in CX16
Yes: 14 • No: 0
Senate vote • 6/3/2025
Item 96 — Senate SFLOOR
Yes: 33 • No: 1
legislature vote • 5/23/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 5 • No: 0
legislature vote • 5/12/2025
Vote in CS61
Yes: 7 • No: 0
legislature vote • 4/30/2025
Vote in CS64
Yes: 8 • No: 0
legislature vote • 3/25/2025
Vote in CS55
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 419, Statutes of 2025.
10/6/2025SenateApproved by the Governor.
10/6/2025legislatureEnrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
9/17/2025legislatureAssembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 37. Noes 1. Page 2716.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
9/9/2025SenateIn Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
9/8/2025SenateRead third time. Passed. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 3006.) Ordered to the Senate.
9/8/2025HouseOrdered to third reading.
9/4/2025HouseRead third time and amended.
9/4/2025HouseRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
9/3/2025HouseRead second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
9/2/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (August 29).
8/29/2025HouseJuly 9 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file.
7/9/2025HouseFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (June 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
6/24/2025HouseReferred to Com. on NAT. RES.
6/9/2025HouseIn Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
6/4/2025HouseRead third time. Passed. (Ayes 33. Noes 1. Page 1447.) Ordered to the Assembly.
6/3/2025SenateRead second time. Ordered to third reading.
5/27/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 0. Page 1204.) (May 23).
5/23/2025SenateRead second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
5/23/2025SenateSet for hearing May 23.
5/16/2025SenateMay 12 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
5/12/2025SenateSet for hearing May 12.
5/2/2025SenateFrom committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 0. Page 963.) (April 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
5/1/2025SenateSet for hearing April 30.
4/2/2025SenateRead second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E.Q.
3/26/2025Senate
Bill Text
Chaptered
10/6/2025
Enrolled
9/12/2025
Amended Assembly
9/4/2025
Amended Assembly
9/2/2025
Amended Senate
5/23/2025
Amended Senate
3/26/2025
Introduced
2/20/2025