AB-1173 • 2026

Public Utilities Commission: organization.

Labor

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Patterson
Last action: 2026-02-02
Official status: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The candidate explanation included claims not supported by the official source material, such as additional restrictions for staff members employed by the commission and details about handling conflicts of interest and private communications.

Public Utilities Commission: Improving Ethics and Reporting

This legislation requires the Public Utilities Commission to create a way for people to report ethics issues online or by email, and it sets rules about staff moving between different parts of the commission.

What This Bill Does

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to set up an online portal or email address where people can report concerns about ethics violations by July 1, 2026.
Prohibits a staff member who moves from the Public Advocate’s Office to another part of the commission from working on cases they were involved with at the Public Advocate’s Office before moving.

Who It Names or Affects

The Public Utilities Commission
Staff members who work for the commission, including those moving from the Public Advocate’s Office

Terms To Know

Public Advocate’s Office: An office within the Public Utilities Commission that represents and advocates on behalf of public utility customers.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if a staff member violates the rules about working on previous cases.
It is unclear how the online portal or email address will be funded and maintained after it is set up.
There are no details provided about the consequences for failing to establish the ethics reporting system by the deadline.

Bill History

2026-02-02 California Legislative Information
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
2026-01-31 California Legislative Information
Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
In committee: Held under submission.
2025-05-14 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2025-05-06 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-05-05 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2025-05-01 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 18. Noes 0.) (April 30).
2025-03-26 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on U. & E.
2025-03-25 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on U. & E. Read second time and amended.
2025-03-24 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on U. & E.
2025-02-24 California Legislative Information
Read first time.
2025-02-22 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 24.
2025-02-21 California Legislative Information
Introduced. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1173, as amended, Patterson.
Public Utilities Commission: organization.
Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission with regulatory authority over public utilities, as defined. Existing law establishes within the commission
the independent Public Advocate’s Office of the Public Utilities Commission to represent and advocate on behalf of the interests of public utility customers and subscribers within the commission’s jurisdiction.
an ethics officer within the legal division of the commission who is designated by the general counsel of the commission. Existing law requires the ethics officer to institute a program of enhanced ethics training for all commissioners and employees of the commission and to provide confidential advice to commissioners and employees of the commission relative
to the commission’s Conflict of Interest Code, Statement of Incompatible Activities, and limitations on ex parte communications.
This bill would require the commission, on or before July 1, 2026, to establish an online portal or email address to report ethics concerns to the commission.
This bill would prohibit a staff member who
moves from the Public Advocate’s Office of the Public Utilities Commission to
is employed by
the commission from working on
any matter that the staff member participated in while employed at the office.
a proceeding at the commission for which the staff member, before their employment by the commission, was listed on a formal filing for the proceeding or sponsored testimony within the proceeding.
Existing law establishes an ethics officer within the legal division of the commission designated by the general counsel of the commission.
This bill would require the commission, on or before July 1, 2026, to establish an online portal or email address to report ethics concerns to the commission.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF