California Bill Creating Independent Oversight Of CPUC Heads To Governor
The measure comes amid growing scrutiny of how California regulates utilities and protects consumers
WASHINGTON, Sept. 2, 2026 – California lawmakers plan to keep a closer eye on the state’s leading utility regulator.
A California bill aimed at increasing transparency and oversight of the California Public Utilities Commission’s internal operations is headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom, D, after clearing the state Senate on Aug. 31.
Assembly Bill 353, sponsored by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas), passed the Senate 48-8 and would establish an inspector general and an independent office of audits and investigations to oversee the CPUC’s internal operations and management.
The CPUC plays a central role in regulating California’s investor-owned utilities, including decisions affecting electricity, natural gas, telecommunications and other utility services. Its actions can have significant effects on the prices consumers pay and the infrastructure deployed across the state.
The bill comes as California faces continued scrutiny over rising utility costs and the decisions made by the state agency that regulates investor-owned utilities and other energy and communications providers.
“While people complain about the rising costs of utilities approved by the CPUC, we need to understand how they operate,” Boerner said in a statement. “Why do they continue to allow investor-owned utilities rake in hundreds off of California families?”
Under AB 353, the proposed inspector general and audit office would provide an independent mechanism for examining the CPUC’s internal operations. The goal is to give the public and state legislature more information about how the CPUC operates and identify areas where its management and processes could be improved.
“AB 353 creates transparency and establishes oversight for the internal operations of the CPUC to better inform the public and the legislature for areas of improvement,” Boerner said.
Boerner said the additional oversight is intended to ensure the commission remains focused on providing affordable and reliable utility service.
“This is the appropriate step to ensure the CPUC is working for the people, focusing on affordable and reliable utility service,” she said.
The measure now awaits consideration by Newsom. If signed, AB 353 would create a new layer of independent review over the CPUC’s internal operations rather than changing the commission’s authority over individual utility proceedings.
