Five bills aimed at changing the way the California Public Utilities Commission does business were signed into law today by California governor Jerry Brown. Two – senate bills 215 and 512 – were the only measures passed by the legislature that were included in a grander deal Brown negotiated with lawmakers in June. Another, SB 62, arose as the other bills in that package went down to defeat. Brown also signed assembly bill 2168, which requires CPUC audits to be posted on the web, and SB 661 tightens up rules for digging around underground utilities.
Brown also called for the CPUC to work with his administration to implement reforms rejected by the legislature, but within the commission’s authority to implement on its own. More about all this tomorrow.