Public Utilities Commission.

The California Assembly Committee on Communications and Conveyance proposes comprehensive reforms to Public Utilities Commission (PUC) operations and extends key accessibility programs through Assembly Bill 1532. The legislation establishes attendance requirements for PUC commissioners, mandating their presence at a minimum of 25% of ratesetting hearings to receive their annual salary and requiring them to appear at legislative oversight hearings when requested by relevant committee chairs.

The bill extends two major accessibility initiatives: the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program and the Transportation Network Companies (TNC) accessibility program. The telecommunications program's surcharge collection authority continues until January 1, 2031, maintaining the annual cap of $100 million to fund telecommunications devices and services for individuals who are deaf or disabled. The TNC program, which requires companies like Uber and Lyft to contribute $0.05 per trip toward accessible vehicle services, extends through January 1, 2032.

To evaluate PUC operations, the Milton Marks "Little Hoover" Commission must analyze commissioner attendance patterns and provide recommendations by January 1, 2027, for improving hearing participation and proceeding timelines. The study will examine potential reorganization of PUC jurisdiction outside of electrical and gas regulation. The bill requires a two-thirds legislative majority for passage due to its tax provisions and includes continuous appropriations through the TNC Access for All Fund to support accessibility services.