BILL NUMBER: SB 18	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  MAY 21, 2015
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MAY 5, 2015
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MARCH 26, 2015
	AMENDED IN SENATE  FEBRUARY 4, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Senators Hill and Hueso

                        DECEMBER 1, 2014

   An act to add Section 307.5 to the Public Utilities Code, relating
to the Public Utilities Commission.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 18, as amended, Hill. Public Utilities Commission: outside
counsel.
   The Public Utilities Act authorizes the Public Utilities
Commission to appoint an attorney for the commission who holds that
office at the pleasure of the commission. The act requires the
attorney to represent and appear for the people and the commission in
all actions and proceedings involving any question under the act or
under any order or act of the commission. The act requires the
attorney to commence, prosecute, and expedite the final determination
of all actions and proceedings directed or authorized by the
president, except as otherwise directed or authorized by vote of the
commission, to advise the commission and each commissioner in regard
to all matters in connection with the powers and duties of the
commission or a commissioner, when requested, and generally, to
perform all duties and services as attorney to the commission that
the president, or vote of the commission, may require of him or her.
   This bill would require that any contract or other agreement by
the commission for services by outside legal counsel with
respect to a criminal matter   to represent the
commission in a criminal investigation initiated by any federal,
state, or local agency  be approved by a vote of the commission
and be subject to a 30-day review by the Joint Legislative Budget
Committee before the agreement is entered into.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 307.5 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to
read:
   307.5.  (a) Any contract or other agreement by the commission for
services by outside legal counsel  with respect to a criminal
matter   to represent the commission in a criminal
investigation initiated by any federal, state, or local agency 
shall be approved by a vote of the commission and subject to a 30-day
review by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee before the
agreement is entered into.
   (b) The Joint Legislative Budget Committee, as part of its review,
shall consider all of the following:
   (1) The funds that the commission will use to pay for these
services.
   (2) Whether the commission has followed all of the laws and
procedures applicable to contracting for legal services.
   (3) Whether, and to what degree, existing programs and operations
of the commission will be affected.