Public Utilities Commission.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how long it will take for these changes to be implemented.

Public Utilities Commission Changes

This law changes how members of the Public Utilities Commission are chosen and limits their ability to make rules.

What This Bill Does

• Changes the way new members join the Public Utilities Commission by requiring approval from both the Senate and Assembly.
• Increases the number of commission members from 5 to 9, with appointments made by different groups.
• Removes the ability of the commission to establish its own rules and procedures.
• Requires the commission to consider affordability when setting rates for utilities.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Public Utilities Commission members
• Governor, Senate Committee on Rules, and Speaker of the Assembly who appoint new members
• People using public utility services

Terms To Know

Public Utilities Commission

A group that makes rules for companies providing essential services like electricity, water, and phone service.

Affordability of rates

How much people can pay for the services provided by public utilities without having financial trouble.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how long it will take to implement these changes.
• It is unclear what new rules or procedures might replace those removed from the commission's authority.

Official Summary Text

ACA 9, as amended, Boerner.
Public Utilities Commission.
The California Constitution establishes the Public Utilities Commission consisting of 5 members appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate. The constitution authorizes the commission to establish its own procedures, subject to statute and due process, and
authorizes a commissioner designated by the commission to hold a hearing or investigation or issue an order, subject to the commission’s approval. The constitution
also authorizes the commission to fix the rates of all public utilities subject to its jurisdiction.
This measure would
require that each member of the commission also be approved by the Assembly. This
increase the membership of the commission to 9 members, and would require the Governor to appoint 5 members and the Senate Committee on Rules and the Speaker of the Assembly to each appoint 2 members. The
measure would repeal the authorization for the commission to establish its own
procedures.
procedures and for a commissioner designated by the commission to hold a hearing or investigation or issue an order.
The measure would require the commission, in fixing rates, to consider the affordability of rates.
The California Constitution requires private corporations and persons that own, operate, control, or manage a line, plant, or system for the transmission of telephone and telegraph messages to be public utilities subject to control by the
Legislature. The constitution authorizes the Legislature to prescribe additional classes of private corporations or other persons as public utilities.
This measure would repeal the requirement that private corporations and persons that own, operate, control, or manage a line,
plant of
plant, or
system for the transmission of telephone and telegraphs messages be public utilities.
The measure would authorize the Legislature to prescribe the duties, functions, and jurisdiction of the commission relating to telephone corporations, telecommunications service, and broadband service, including, but not limited to, by reassigning the commission’s duties to another state entity.

Current Bill Text

Download Bill PDF