California legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
California SB327: Public utilities: review of accounts: electrical and gas corporations: rates: political influence activities.
Status: Chaptered, September 27, 2026
What the bill says
An act to amend Sections 309.5 and 748.3 of the Public Utilities Code, relating to public utilities. public utilities Public utilities: review of accounts: electrical and gas corporations: rates: political influence activities. Existing law authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to fix the rates and charges for public utilities, including electrical corporations and gas corporations, and requires those rates and charges to be just and reasonable…
From the chaptered text, September 27, 2026:
An act to amend Sections 309.5 and 748.3 of the Public Utilities Code, relating to public utilities. public utilities Public utilities: review of accounts: electrical and gas corporations: rates: political influence activities. Existing law authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to fix the rates and charges for public utilities, including electrical corporations and gas corporations, and requires those rates and charges to be just and reasonable. Under existing law, a regulated public utility is prohibited from using ratepayer funds for advocacy-related activities that are political or do not otherwise benefit ratepayers. Existing law prohibits each electrical corporation or gas corporation from recording to an above-the-line account, or otherwise recovering from ratepayers, direct or indirect costs of specified activities. This bill would include in those activities for which costs may not be recovered from ratepayers any activities related to opposing the municipalization of electrical or gas utility service, as specified. Existing law authorizes the commission, each commissioner, and each officer and person employed by the commission to inspect the accounts, books, papers, and documents of any public utility. Existing law establishes within the commission an independent Public Advocate’s Office of the Public Utilities Commission and authorizes the office to require an entity regulated by the commission to produce or disclose any information the office deems necessary to perform its duties, as provided. …