Amended IN Assembly March 25, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1173Introduced by Assembly Member PattersonFebruary 21, 2025 An act to amend Section 307 of 307.2 of, and to add Section 307.3 to, the Public Utilities Code, relating to public utilities. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1173, as amended, Patterson. Public Utilities Commission: organization: attorney. 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 Advocates Office of the Public Utilities Commission to represent and advocate on behalf of the interests of public utility customers and subscribers within the commissions jurisdiction.This bill would prohibit a staff member who moves from the Public Advocates Office of the Public Utilities Commission to the commission from working on any matter that the staff member participated in while employed at the office.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.Existing law outlines the qualifications and tenure of the members of the Public Utilities Commission. Existing law authorizes the commission to appoint an attorney who practices law in this state as the attorney for the commission.This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to that authorization.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NOYES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 307.2 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read:307.2. (a) There is within the legal division of the commission an ethics officer who shall be designated by the general counsel. The ethics officer shall be responsible for both of the following:(a)(1) Instituting a program of enhanced ethics training for all commissioners and employees of the commission, including training concerning the commissions Conflict of Interest Code, Statement of Incompatible Activities, and limitations upon on ex parte communications.(b)(2) Providing confidential advice to commissioners and employees of the commission on compliance with the commissions Conflict of Interest Code, Statement of Incompatible Activities, and limitations upon on ex parte communications. The ethics officer shall maintain the confidentiality of the commissioners or employees identity unless the commissioner or employee expressly indicates a desire to communicate his or her their identity to the commission.(b) On or before July 1, 2026, the commission shall establish an online portal or email address to report ethics concerns to the commission.SEC. 2. Section 307.3 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to read:307.3. A staff member who moves from the Public Advocates Office of the Public Utilities Commission to the commission shall not work on any matter that the staff member participated in while employed at the Public Advocates Office of the Public Utilities Commission.SECTION 1.Section 307 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read:307.(a)The commission may appoint as attorney to the commission an attorney at law of this state, who shall hold office at the pleasure of the commission.(b)The attorney shall represent and appear for the people of the State of California and the commission in all actions and proceedings involving any question under this part or under any order or act of the commission. If directed to do so by the president, except as otherwise directed by vote of the commission, the attorney shall intervene, if possible, in any action or proceeding in which any such question is involved.(c)The attorney shall 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, advise the commission and each commissioner, when so requested, in regard to all matters in connection with the powers and duties of the commission and the members thereof, and generally perform all duties and services as attorney to the commission that the president, or vote of the commission, may require of them.
Amended IN Assembly March 25, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1173Introduced by Assembly Member PattersonFebruary 21, 2025 An act to amend Section 307 of 307.2 of, and to add Section 307.3 to, the Public Utilities Code, relating to public utilities. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1173, as amended, Patterson. Public Utilities Commission: organization: attorney. 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 Advocates Office of the Public Utilities Commission to represent and advocate on behalf of the interests of public utility customers and subscribers within the commissions jurisdiction.This bill would prohibit a staff member who moves from the Public Advocates Office of the Public Utilities Commission to the commission from working on any matter that the staff member participated in while employed at the office.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.Existing law outlines the qualifications and tenure of the members of the Public Utilities Commission. Existing law authorizes the commission to appoint an attorney who practices law in this state as the attorney for the commission.This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to that authorization.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NOYES Local Program: NO
Amended IN Assembly March 25, 2025
Amended IN Assembly March 25, 2025
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 1173
Introduced by Assembly Member PattersonFebruary 21, 2025
Introduced by Assembly Member Patterson
February 21, 2025
An act to amend Section 307 of 307.2 of, and to add Section 307.3 to, the Public Utilities Code, relating to public utilities.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1173, as amended, Patterson. Public Utilities Commission: organization: attorney. 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 Advocates Office of the Public Utilities Commission to represent and advocate on behalf of the interests of public utility customers and subscribers within the commissions jurisdiction.This bill would prohibit a staff member who moves from the Public Advocates Office of the Public Utilities Commission to the commission from working on any matter that the staff member participated in while employed at the office.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.Existing law outlines the qualifications and tenure of the members of the Public Utilities Commission. Existing law authorizes the commission to appoint an attorney who practices law in this state as the attorney for the commission.This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to that authorization.
Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission with regulatory authority over public utilities, as defined. Existing law establishes within the commission the independent Public Advocates Office of the Public Utilities Commission to represent and advocate on behalf of the interests of public utility customers and subscribers within the commissions jurisdiction.
This bill would prohibit a staff member who moves from the Public Advocates Office of the Public Utilities Commission to the commission from working on any matter that the staff member participated in while employed at the office.
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.
Existing law outlines the qualifications and tenure of the members of the Public Utilities Commission. Existing law authorizes the commission to appoint an attorney who practices law in this state as the attorney for the commission.
This bill would make nonsubstantive changes to that authorization.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 307.2 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read:307.2. (a) There is within the legal division of the commission an ethics officer who shall be designated by the general counsel. The ethics officer shall be responsible for both of the following:(a)(1) Instituting a program of enhanced ethics training for all commissioners and employees of the commission, including training concerning the commissions Conflict of Interest Code, Statement of Incompatible Activities, and limitations upon on ex parte communications.(b)(2) Providing confidential advice to commissioners and employees of the commission on compliance with the commissions Conflict of Interest Code, Statement of Incompatible Activities, and limitations upon on ex parte communications. The ethics officer shall maintain the confidentiality of the commissioners or employees identity unless the commissioner or employee expressly indicates a desire to communicate his or her their identity to the commission.(b) On or before July 1, 2026, the commission shall establish an online portal or email address to report ethics concerns to the commission.SEC. 2. Section 307.3 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to read:307.3. A staff member who moves from the Public Advocates Office of the Public Utilities Commission to the commission shall not work on any matter that the staff member participated in while employed at the Public Advocates Office of the Public Utilities Commission.SECTION 1.Section 307 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read:307.(a)The commission may appoint as attorney to the commission an attorney at law of this state, who shall hold office at the pleasure of the commission.(b)The attorney shall represent and appear for the people of the State of California and the commission in all actions and proceedings involving any question under this part or under any order or act of the commission. If directed to do so by the president, except as otherwise directed by vote of the commission, the attorney shall intervene, if possible, in any action or proceeding in which any such question is involved.(c)The attorney shall 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, advise the commission and each commissioner, when so requested, in regard to all matters in connection with the powers and duties of the commission and the members thereof, and generally perform all duties and services as attorney to the commission that the president, or vote of the commission, may require of them.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 307.2 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read:307.2. (a) There is within the legal division of the commission an ethics officer who shall be designated by the general counsel. The ethics officer shall be responsible for both of the following:(a)(1) Instituting a program of enhanced ethics training for all commissioners and employees of the commission, including training concerning the commissions Conflict of Interest Code, Statement of Incompatible Activities, and limitations upon on ex parte communications.(b)(2) Providing confidential advice to commissioners and employees of the commission on compliance with the commissions Conflict of Interest Code, Statement of Incompatible Activities, and limitations upon on ex parte communications. The ethics officer shall maintain the confidentiality of the commissioners or employees identity unless the commissioner or employee expressly indicates a desire to communicate his or her their identity to the commission.(b) On or before July 1, 2026, the commission shall establish an online portal or email address to report ethics concerns to the commission.
SECTION 1. Section 307.2 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to read:
### SECTION 1.
307.2. (a) There is within the legal division of the commission an ethics officer who shall be designated by the general counsel. The ethics officer shall be responsible for both of the following:(a)(1) Instituting a program of enhanced ethics training for all commissioners and employees of the commission, including training concerning the commissions Conflict of Interest Code, Statement of Incompatible Activities, and limitations upon on ex parte communications.(b)(2) Providing confidential advice to commissioners and employees of the commission on compliance with the commissions Conflict of Interest Code, Statement of Incompatible Activities, and limitations upon on ex parte communications. The ethics officer shall maintain the confidentiality of the commissioners or employees identity unless the commissioner or employee expressly indicates a desire to communicate his or her their identity to the commission.(b) On or before July 1, 2026, the commission shall establish an online portal or email address to report ethics concerns to the commission.
307.2. (a) There is within the legal division of the commission an ethics officer who shall be designated by the general counsel. The ethics officer shall be responsible for both of the following:(a)(1) Instituting a program of enhanced ethics training for all commissioners and employees of the commission, including training concerning the commissions Conflict of Interest Code, Statement of Incompatible Activities, and limitations upon on ex parte communications.(b)(2) Providing confidential advice to commissioners and employees of the commission on compliance with the commissions Conflict of Interest Code, Statement of Incompatible Activities, and limitations upon on ex parte communications. The ethics officer shall maintain the confidentiality of the commissioners or employees identity unless the commissioner or employee expressly indicates a desire to communicate his or her their identity to the commission.(b) On or before July 1, 2026, the commission shall establish an online portal or email address to report ethics concerns to the commission.
307.2. (a) There is within the legal division of the commission an ethics officer who shall be designated by the general counsel. The ethics officer shall be responsible for both of the following:(a)(1) Instituting a program of enhanced ethics training for all commissioners and employees of the commission, including training concerning the commissions Conflict of Interest Code, Statement of Incompatible Activities, and limitations upon on ex parte communications.(b)(2) Providing confidential advice to commissioners and employees of the commission on compliance with the commissions Conflict of Interest Code, Statement of Incompatible Activities, and limitations upon on ex parte communications. The ethics officer shall maintain the confidentiality of the commissioners or employees identity unless the commissioner or employee expressly indicates a desire to communicate his or her their identity to the commission.(b) On or before July 1, 2026, the commission shall establish an online portal or email address to report ethics concerns to the commission.
307.2. (a) There is within the legal division of the commission an ethics officer who shall be designated by the general counsel. The ethics officer shall be responsible for both of the following:
(a)
(1) Instituting a program of enhanced ethics training for all commissioners and employees of the commission, including training concerning the commissions Conflict of Interest Code, Statement of Incompatible Activities, and limitations upon on ex parte communications.
(b)
(2) Providing confidential advice to commissioners and employees of the commission on compliance with the commissions Conflict of Interest Code, Statement of Incompatible Activities, and limitations upon on ex parte communications. The ethics officer shall maintain the confidentiality of the commissioners or employees identity unless the commissioner or employee expressly indicates a desire to communicate his or her their identity to the commission.
(b) On or before July 1, 2026, the commission shall establish an online portal or email address to report ethics concerns to the commission.
SEC. 2. Section 307.3 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to read:307.3. A staff member who moves from the Public Advocates Office of the Public Utilities Commission to the commission shall not work on any matter that the staff member participated in while employed at the Public Advocates Office of the Public Utilities Commission.
SEC. 2. Section 307.3 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to read:
### SEC. 2.
307.3. A staff member who moves from the Public Advocates Office of the Public Utilities Commission to the commission shall not work on any matter that the staff member participated in while employed at the Public Advocates Office of the Public Utilities Commission.
307.3. A staff member who moves from the Public Advocates Office of the Public Utilities Commission to the commission shall not work on any matter that the staff member participated in while employed at the Public Advocates Office of the Public Utilities Commission.
307.3. A staff member who moves from the Public Advocates Office of the Public Utilities Commission to the commission shall not work on any matter that the staff member participated in while employed at the Public Advocates Office of the Public Utilities Commission.
307.3. A staff member who moves from the Public Advocates Office of the Public Utilities Commission to the commission shall not work on any matter that the staff member participated in while employed at the Public Advocates Office of the Public Utilities Commission.
(a)The commission may appoint as attorney to the commission an attorney at law of this state, who shall hold office at the pleasure of the commission.
(b)The attorney shall represent and appear for the people of the State of California and the commission in all actions and proceedings involving any question under this part or under any order or act of the commission. If directed to do so by the president, except as otherwise directed by vote of the commission, the attorney shall intervene, if possible, in any action or proceeding in which any such question is involved.
(c)The attorney shall 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, advise the commission and each commissioner, when so requested, in regard to all matters in connection with the powers and duties of the commission and the members thereof, and generally perform all duties and services as attorney to the commission that the president, or vote of the commission, may require of them.