California Code, Public Utilities Code - PUC § 384

(a) Funds transferred to the Energy Commission pursuant to this article for purposes of public interest research, development, and demonstration shall be transferred to the Public Interest Research, Development, and Demonstration Fund, which is hereby created in the State Treasury.  The fund is a trust fund and shall contain money from all interest, repayments, disencumbrances, royalties, and any other proceeds appropriated, transferred, or otherwise received for purposes pertaining to public interest research, development, and demonstration.  Any appropriations that are made from the fund shall have an encumbrance period of not longer than two years, and a liquidation period of not longer than four years.

(b) Funds deposited in the Public Interest Research, Development, and Demonstration Fund may be expended for projects that serve the energy needs of both stationary and transportation purposes if the research provides an electricity ratepayer benefit.

(c) The Energy Commission shall report annually to the appropriate budget committees of the Legislature on any encumbrances or liquidations that are outstanding at the time the commission's budget is submitted to the Legislature for review.