Public Utilities Commission: proceedings.

Assembly Member Petrie-Norris's proposal to modify California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) procedures would expand opportunities for stakeholder input during the commission's decision-making process. The legislation revises when interested parties can submit written comments during the three-day "quiet period" before commission votes.

Under current law, interested parties may only submit written communications if the commission makes "material modifications" to a proposed decision during the quiet period. The bill would allow these communications whenever the commission makes any modifications to a proposed decision during this timeframe. Written comments must still be limited to addressing the modified portions of the decision and must be simultaneously shared with all parties in the proceeding.

The measure maintains existing requirements that prohibit oral communications during the quiet period and preserve the commission's ability to meet in closed session after providing three days' notice. It also retains provisions allowing the commission to conduct quiet period meetings via teleconference without meeting certain open meeting requirements that typically apply to state agencies.