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    AB-705
    Government Operations

    Public Utilities Commission: Independent Office of Audits and Investigations.

    Engrossed
    CA
    ∙
    2025-2026 Regular Session
    0
    0
    Track
    Track

    Key Takeaways

    • Establishes an Independent Office of Audits within the Public Utilities Commission to oversee ratepayer funds.
    • Creates an Inspector General position appointed by the Governor to serve a six-year term starting January 2026.
    • Grants the Inspector General full authority to examine all records of the Commission and regulated utilities.
    • Requires annual public reporting of audit findings to the Governor and Legislature.

    Summary

    Assembly Member Boerner's proposal to restructure oversight at the California Public Utilities Commission would replace the agency's internal audit unit with an Independent Office of Audits and Investigations led by a Governor-appointed Inspector General. The new office, set to launch January 1, 2026, would assume responsibility for examining the commission's financial management, operational efficiency, and use of ratepayer funds.

    The Inspector General would serve a six-year term following Senate confirmation and could only be removed for cause, with written justification required. The position would have broad authority to access and review all commission records, documents, and correspondence, as well as materials from regulated utilities and other entities under commission oversight. The office would conduct audits and investigations during regular business hours, with agency staff required to facilitate document examination and reproduction upon request.

    To maintain independence, the Inspector General must report audit findings and recommendations directly to the Governor and Legislature on an ongoing basis, with annual public summaries posted online. These reports would detail significant issues discovered through audits and investigations, along with whether previous recommendations have been implemented by the commission or affected external entities. The bill specifies that violations of commission actions implementing these requirements would constitute a crime under the Public Utilities Act.

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Placed on suspense file
    Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 705 Boerner Assembly Third Reading
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass
    Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Read first time. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Tasha Boerner HorvathD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 8 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 2
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tasha Boerner HorvathD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Aisha WahabD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Christopher CabaldonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laura RichardsonD
    Senator
    Committee Member

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Tasha Boerner Horvath
    Tasha Boerner HorvathD
    California State Assembly Member
    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    August 18, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    7007PASS

    Key Takeaways

    • Establishes an Independent Office of Audits within the Public Utilities Commission to oversee ratepayer funds.
    • Creates an Inspector General position appointed by the Governor to serve a six-year term starting January 2026.
    • Grants the Inspector General full authority to examine all records of the Commission and regulated utilities.
    • Requires annual public reporting of audit findings to the Governor and Legislature.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Tasha Boerner Horvath
    Tasha Boerner HorvathD
    California State Assembly Member

    Summary

    Assembly Member Boerner's proposal to restructure oversight at the California Public Utilities Commission would replace the agency's internal audit unit with an Independent Office of Audits and Investigations led by a Governor-appointed Inspector General. The new office, set to launch January 1, 2026, would assume responsibility for examining the commission's financial management, operational efficiency, and use of ratepayer funds.

    The Inspector General would serve a six-year term following Senate confirmation and could only be removed for cause, with written justification required. The position would have broad authority to access and review all commission records, documents, and correspondence, as well as materials from regulated utilities and other entities under commission oversight. The office would conduct audits and investigations during regular business hours, with agency staff required to facilitate document examination and reproduction upon request.

    To maintain independence, the Inspector General must report audit findings and recommendations directly to the Governor and Legislature on an ongoing basis, with annual public summaries posted online. These reports would detail significant issues discovered through audits and investigations, along with whether previous recommendations have been implemented by the commission or affected external entities. The bill specifies that violations of commission actions implementing these requirements would constitute a crime under the Public Utilities Act.

    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    Placed on suspense file
    Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Hearing
    Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 705 Boerner Assembly Third Reading
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass
    Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Read first time. To print.

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    August 18, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Committee
    Senate Appropriations Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    7007PASS

    Contacts

    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Tasha Boerner HorvathD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 8 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 2
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tim GraysonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tasha Boerner HorvathD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Aisha WahabD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Christopher CabaldonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laura RichardsonD
    Senator
    Committee Member