Bill Text: CA AB1471 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Public Utilities Commission.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2021-08-26 - In committee: Held under submission. [AB1471 Detail]

Download: California-2021-AB1471-Amended.html

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Amended  IN  Assembly  April 26, 2021

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 1471

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Introduced by Assembly Member Villapudua

February 19, 2021

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An act to amend Sections 301 and 306 of the Public Utilities Code, relating to the Public Utilities Commission.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 1471, as amended, Villapudua. Public Utilities Commission.

The California Constitution establishes the Public Utilities Commission, with jurisdiction over all public utilities, subject to control by the Legislature. The California Constitution provides that the commission consists of 5 members appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate, a majority of the membership concurring.

This bill would, beginning January 1, 2023, state that when selecting and confirming commissioners, the Governor and Senate should consider achieving regional diversity by selecting candidates at least one candidate with a permanent residence in northern California, at least one candidate with a permanent residence in the central valley, and at least one candidate with a permanent residence in southern California. California, and directs that the Governor and Senate should consider a candidate pool that collectively represents each of those areas.

Existing law requires that the office of the commission be in the City and County of San Francisco.

This bill would require that authorize the office of the commission be in the City of Stockton. to be located in the City and County of San Francisco and authorize the commission to consider options to locate operations and staff outside of the commission’s San Francisco headquarters, including in the City of Stockton.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

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Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 Section 301 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read:

301.

 (a) The membership of the Public Utilities Commission, and the qualifications and tenure of the members of the commission are as provided in Section 1 of Article XII of the Constitution of this state.

(b) Beginning January 1, 2023, when selecting and confirming commissioners, the Governor and Senate should consider achieving regional diversity by selecting candidates at least one candidate with a permanent residence in each of the following areas of California: northern California, at least one candidate with a permanent residence in the central valley, and at least one candidate with a permanent residence in southern California. The Governor and Senate should consider a candidate pool that collectively represents each of the specified areas.

SEC. 2.

 Section 306 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read:

306.

 (a) The office of the commission shall may be in the City of Stockton. and County of San Francisco. The commission may consider options to locate operations and staff outside of the commission’s San Francisco headquarters, including in the City of Stockton. The office shall always be open, legal holidays and nonjudicial days excepted. The commission shall hold its sessions at least once in each calendar month. The commission may also meet at such other times and in such places as may be expedient and necessary for the proper performance of its duties, and for that purpose may rent quarters or offices.

(b) The meetings of the commission shall be open and public in accordance with the provisions of Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

In addition to the requirements of Section 11125 of the Government Code, the commission shall include in its notice of meetings the agenda of business to be transacted, and no item of business shall be added to the agenda subsequent to the notice in the absence of an unforeseen emergency situation. A rate increase shall not constitute an unforeseen emergency situation. As used in this subdivision, “meeting” shall include all investigations, proceedings, and showings required by law to be open and public.

(c) The commission shall have a seal, bearing the inscription “Public Utilities Commission State of California.” The seal shall be affixed to all writs and authentications of copies of records and to such other instruments as the commission shall direct.

(d) The commission may procure all necessary books, maps, charts, stationery, instruments, office furniture, apparatus, and appliances.