Bill Text: CA SB18 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Public Utilities Commission: outside counsel.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Vetoed) 2016-04-25 - Last day to consider Governors veto pursuant to Joint Rule 58.5. [SB18 Detail]

Download: California-2015-SB18-Enrolled.html

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BILL NUMBER: SB 18	ENROLLED
	BILL TEXT

	PASSED THE SENATE  SEPTEMBER 11, 2015
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  SEPTEMBER 10, 2015
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 24, 2015
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JULY 9, 2015
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MAY 21, 2015
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MAY 5, 2015
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MARCH 26, 2015
	AMENDED IN SENATE  FEBRUARY 4, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Senators Hill and Hueso

                        DECEMBER 1, 2014

   An act to add Section 307.1 to the Public Utilities Code, relating
to the Public Utilities Commission.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 18, Hill. Public Utilities Commission: outside counsel.
   The Public Utilities Act authorizes the Public Utilities
Commission to appoint an attorney for the commission who holds that
office at the pleasure of the commission. The act requires the
attorney to represent and appear for the people and the commission in
all actions and proceedings involving any question under the act or
under any order or act of the commission. The act requires the
attorney to commence, prosecute, and expedite the final determination
of all actions and proceedings directed or authorized by the
president, except as otherwise directed or authorized by vote of the
commission, to advise the commission and each commissioner in regard
to all matters in connection with the powers and duties of the
commission or a commissioner, when requested, and generally to
perform all duties and services as attorney to the commission that
the president, or vote of the commission, may require of him or her.
   This bill would require that any contract or other agreement by
the commission for services by outside legal counsel to represent the
commission in a criminal investigation initiated by any federal,
state, or local agency be approved by a vote of the commission no
sooner than 30 days after it is submitted to the Joint Legislative
Budget Committee for review.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 307.1 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to
read:
   307.1.  (a) Any contract or other agreement by the commission for
services by outside legal counsel to represent the commission in a
criminal investigation initiated by any federal, state, or local
agency shall be approved by a vote of the commission no sooner than
30 days after the contract or agreement is submitted to the Joint
Legislative Budget Committee for review.
   (b) Any contract or other agreement submitted to the Joint
Legislative Budget Committee for review and to be voted on by the
commission pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be accompanied by all of
the following information:
   (1) The funds that the commission will use to pay for these
services.
   (2) Whether the commission has followed all of the laws and
procedures applicable to contracting for legal services.
   (3) Whether, and to what degree, existing programs and operations
of the commission will be affected.