ACA 9 — A resolution to propose to the people of the State of California an amendment to the Constitution of the State, by amending Sections 1, 3, and 6 of, and by repealing Section 2 of, Article XII thereof, relating to public utilities.

Summary

The California Constitution establishes the Public Utilities Commission consisting of 5 members appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate. The constitution authorizes the commission to establish its own procedures, subject to statute and due process, and authorizes a commissioner designated by the commission to hold a hearing or investigation or issue an order, subject to the commission's approval. The constitution also authorizes the commission to fix the rates of all public utilities subject to its jurisdiction. This measure would increase the membership of the commission to 9 members with the Senate Committee on Rules and the Speaker of the Assembly each appointing 2 additional members. The measure would repeal the authorization for the commission to establish its own procedures and for a commissioner designated by the commission to hold a hearing or investigation or issue an order. The measure would require the commission, in fixing rates, to consider the affordability of rates. The California Constitution requires private corporations and persons that own, operate, control, or manage a line, plant, or system for the transmission of telephone and telegraph messages to be public utilities subject to control by the Legislature. The constitution authorizes the Legislature to prescribe additional classes of private corporations or other persons as public utilities. This measure would repeal the requirement that private corporations and persons that own, operate, control, or manage a line, plant, or system for the transmission of telephone and telegraphs messages be public utilities. The measure would authorize the Legislature to prescribe the duties, functions, and jurisdiction of the commission relating to telephone corporations, telecommunications service, and broadband service, including, but not limited to, by reassigning the commission's duties to another state entity.

Bill Text

• Amended 05/28/26 - Amended Senate Current pdf May 28, 2026
• Amended 04/14/26 - Amended Assembly pdf April 14, 2026
• Introduced 03/04/25 - Introduced pdf March 04, 2025
• ACA9 View text html

Action History

1. June 08, 2026

   In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

2. May 28, 2026

   From 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.

3. May 27, 2026

   Referred to Coms. on E., U & C. and E. & C.A.

4. May 18, 2026

   In Senate. To Com. on RLS.

5. May 18, 2026

   Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

6. May 18, 2026

   Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Page 5085.)

7. May 18, 2026

   Adopted and to Senate. (Ayes 67. Noes 1.)

8. May 14, 2026

   From committee: Be adopted. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 14).

9. May 14, 2026

   Joint Rule 62(a), file notice suspended. (Page 5070.)

10. May 13, 2026

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

11. May 06, 2026

    In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.

12. April 23, 2026

    Coauthors revised.

13. April 23, 2026

    From committee: Be adopted, and re-refer to Com. on APPR. Re-referred. (Ayes 18. Noes 0.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

14. April 15, 2026

    Re-referred to Com. on U. & E.

15. April 14, 2026

    From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on U. & E. Read second time and amended.

16. April 13, 2026

    Referred to Com. on U. & E.

17. March 05, 2025

    From printer. May be heard in committee April 4.

18. March 04, 2025

    Introduced. To print.

Sponsors

• Tasha Boerner · Primary

Votes

Subjects