CaliforniaGovernor would appoint an Inspector General for utility regulators
If signed, the measure would replace the Public Utilities Commission’s chief internal auditor with a Governor-appointed Inspector General who could audit operations and require records.
What it does
A Governor-appointed Inspector General would replace the commission’s chief internal auditor. Senate confirmation and a six-year term would apply, with removal allowed only for good cause.
The Inspector General would audit commission operations and check how it handles money, programs, risks, fraud concerns, and required reports.
The Inspector General could examine records held by the commission and participating regulated entities. Findings would go to state leaders, with public summaries posted at least yearly.
Argument forPublic reports about audits, serious problems, and whether recommendations were followed could make commission operations easier for state leaders and residents to monitor.
Argument againstRegulated entities and public agencies could face added work because they must provide broad records and allow examinations for audits and investigations.
More detail
The Governor would appoint an Inspector General, subject to Senate confirmation, to oversee the commission’s internal audit unit. The position would replace the chief internal auditor role at the California Public Utilities Commission. The Inspector General would serve a six-year term. Removal during the term would require good cause. The reason for removal would have to be stated in writing and sent to the Legislature. The six-year term and removal rules would apply to the Inspector General appointed under this section.
The Inspector General would oversee and conduct audits of the commission’s financial, management, operational, and technology functions. The duties would cover commission operations, programs, funds under its control, including ratepayer money, and required reports. The Inspector General would have to ensure that funds and programs are handled efficiently, economically, and under applicable state and federal requirements. The Inspector General would have to develop an annual audit plan, oversee enterprise risk management, and inform state leaders about fraud, improper activity, and serious weaknesses. The commission would have to monitor whether its required reports comply with reporting requirements. These responsibilities would apply while the Inspector General holds the position.
The Inspector General could access and copy records for audits and investigations and would report findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature. Access would cover the commission, public utilities, state offices, and other entities regulated by the commission that participate in its programs. Participating regulated entities would have to provide relevant records when the Inspector General requests them. Authorized representatives could enter public offices or institutions during regular business hours to examine and reproduce records. The Inspector General would report findings on an ongoing basis and at least annually, and public summaries would be posted on the commission’s website. Annual reports would be required, with additional reports upon request; access would apply when needed for an audit or investigation.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 18Vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom.Latest
- Sep 14Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 1:30 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 31Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 67. Noes 8. Page 6986.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 353 BOERNER Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 31Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Page 6985.)
- Aug 31From committee: That the Senate amendments be concurred in. (Ayes 17. Noes 0. Page 6986.) (August 30).Minor
- Aug 30
- Vote recorded With recommendation: That Senate amendments be concurred in. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 26Re-referred to Com. on U. & E. pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB353 Boerner By Becker. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 26In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Aug 26Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 30. Noes 7.).Passed Senate
- Aug 24Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 21Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Aug 13Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 13From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (August 13).Minor
- Aug 10In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 3From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on APPR.Major
- Jul 22In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
- Jun 30From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 15. Noes 2.) (June 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 23From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on E., U & C.Major
- 2025
- Jul 14In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
- Jul 3From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on E., U & C.Major
- Jun 18Referred to Com. on E., U & C.Minor
- Jun 5In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- Jun 4Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 58. Noes 18. Page 2071.)Passed Assembly
- Vote recorded AB 353 Boerner Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 4Assembly Rule 69(d) suspended. (Page 2051.)
- Jun 3Read third time and amended. Ordered to third reading. (Page 2041.)Major
- May 28Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 27Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.Major
- May 27From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 3.) (May 23).Major
- May 27Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Ayes 51. Noes 16. Page 1644.)
- May 23
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Lower
- May 21Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 1627.)
- May 21In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- May 14In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
- May 6Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- May 5Read second time and amended.Major
- May 1From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 2.) (April 30).Major
- Apr 30
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 25Re-referred to Com. on C. & C.Minor
- Mar 24From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on C. & C. Read second time and amended.Major
- Mar 24Referred to Com. on C. & C.Minor
- Jan 31From printer. May be heard in committee March 2.
- Jan 30Read first time. To print.Introduced
Government & EthicsConsumer ProtectionEmergency Management