AB 353: Public Utilities Commission: Inspector General.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law requires the Public Utilities Commission to appoint a chief internal auditor who holds office at the pleasure of the commission. Existing law makes the chief internal auditor responsible for the oversight of the internal audit unit. Existing law requires the chief internal auditor to plan, initiate, and perform audits of key financial, management, operational, and information technology functions within the commission to improve accountability and transparency to executive and state management, and to report their findings and recommendations directly to an audit subcommittee of the commission.

This bill would instead require the Governor to appoint an Inspector General, subject to Senate confirmation, to be responsible for the oversight of the internal audit unit and would instead require the Inspector General to plan, initiate, and perform audits of key financial, management, operational, and information technology functions within the commission to improve accountability and transparency to executive and state management. The bill would also require the Inspector General to ensure, among other things, that the commission administers funds and programs in a prescribed manner, fulfills mandated requirements, develops an annual audit plan, administers an effective enterprise risk management program, and monitors reporting compliance. The bill would provide for the appointment and removal of the Inspector General, as specified. The bill would authorize the Inspector General to access and examine all records, files, documents, accounts, reports, correspondence, or other property of the commission and public utilities, and would require other entities that are regulated by the commission and participate in programs administered by the commission, upon request of the Inspector General, to provide or make available to the Inspector General for examination all relevant records, files, documents, accounts, reports, correspondence, or other property pertaining to participation in those programs, as specified. The bill would require the Inspector General to report specified information to the Governor and the Legislature, as provided.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 18, 2026Vetoed by Governor.
2. September 14, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 1:30 p.m.
3. August 31, 2026Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 67. Noes 8. Page 6986.).
4. August 31, 2026Assembly Rule 63 suspended. (Page 6985.)
5. August 31, 2026From committee: That the Senate amendments be concurred in. (Ayes 17. Noes 0. Page 6986.) (August 30).
6. August 26, 2026Re-referred to Com. on U. & E. pursuant to Assembly Rule 77.2.
7. August 26, 2026In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
8. August 26, 2026Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 30. Noes 7.).
9. August 24, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
10. August 21, 2026Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
11. August 13, 2026Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
12. August 13, 2026From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (August 13).