Bill > SB24

This bill addresses how electrical and gas corporations can use ratepayer funds, specifically prohibiting them from recording or recovering costs related to opposing municipalization (the process of creating a publicly owned utility) in accounts that are funded by ratepayers. The bill defines "political influence activities" broadly, including attempts to influence legislation, elections, public officials, and public opinion. Utilities are now barred from using ratepayer-funded accounts for expenses related to lobbying against or preventing the establishment of municipal utilities. The Public Utilities Commission is required to monitor and investigate compliance with these new restrictions. The bill also clarifies that the Public Advocate's Office of the Public Utilities Commission has the same authority as the commission to review utility accounts and discover information. Additionally, the bill specifies that moving expenses from an above-the-line account (which is recoverable from ratepayers) to a below-the-line account (which is not) does not protect those expenses from disclosure. The legislation includes some exceptions, such as activities required by federal law or related to labor agreements. Violations of these provisions could potentially be considered a crime, which makes this a state-mandated local program, though the bill specifies that no reimbursement is required for implementing these changes.

Budget and Finance, Justice, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB24