AB-2618 • 2026

Public Utilities Commission: commissioners: employment.

Crime Education

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Connolly
Last action: 2026-06-03
Official status: Referred to Com. on E., U & C.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide details on specific penalties for violations or exact reasons why no reimbursement is required.

Public Utilities Commission: Commissioners' Employment Rules

AB-2618 changes the rule so that Public Utilities Commission commissioners cannot work for companies they regulated for two years after leaving their job at the commission.

What This Bill Does

Changes the rule to prohibit a commissioner from being employed by an entity subject to regulation by the commission for two years after the end of the commissioner’s term of office.

Who It Names or Affects

Public Utilities Commission commissioners
Companies regulated by the Public Utilities Commission

Terms To Know

Public Utilities Commission (PUC): A group that makes rules and oversees companies that provide services like electricity, water, and phone service.
Commissioner: A person who is part of the Public Utilities Commission and helps make decisions about public utilities.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if someone breaks this new rule.
It only addresses commissioners, not other people working at the commission.

Bill History

2026-06-03 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on E., U & C.
2026-05-21 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-05-21 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 68. Noes 0.)
2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.
2026-05-13 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 13).
2026-04-14 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-04-13 California Legislative Information
Read second time and amended.
2026-04-09 California Legislative Information
From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 17. Noes 0.) (April 8).
2026-03-17 California Legislative Information
Re-referred to Com. on U. & E.
2026-03-16 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on U. & E. Read second time and amended.
2026-03-16 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on U. & E.
2026-02-21 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
2026-02-20 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2618, as amended, Connolly.
Public Utilities Commission: commissioners: employment.
The California Constitution establishes the Public Utilities Commission, with jurisdiction over all public utilities, and provides for the composition and appointment of the commission. Existing law prohibits an executive of a public utility from serving as a commissioner within 2 years after leaving the employment of the public utility.
This bill would prohibit a commissioner of the commission from being employed by an entity subject to regulation by the commission for a period of
5
2
years after the end of the commissioner’s term of office.
Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act or any
order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission is a crime.
Because the provisions of the bill would be part of the act and a violation of a commission action implementing the bill’s requirements would be a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF