AB 2054 (Bauer-Kahan) Reduce Utility influence on CPUC Regulatory Decisions

AB 2054 would prohibit commissioners from the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) from being employed by an entity subject to regulation by either agency for a period of 10 years after their term ends. California currently has many required disclosures for commissioners in office, but there are no restrictions on what these officials can do once their term expires.

Right now, California’s regulators are allowed to take high-paying jobs at the utilities they regulate immediately following their terms. Permitting commissioners to take jobs with regulated companies creates not just the perception, but the reality of a “revolving door” between regulators and the entities they oversee. The “cooling-off” period proposed by AB 2054 will mitigate conflicts of interest and reduce ineffective regulation and questionable rate increases.

By enacting AB 2054, the CPUC and CEC can uphold the public trust, maintain the independence and effectiveness of regulatory oversight, and ensure that decisions are made in the best interests of all Californians.

Committee Location: (Updated 3/29/24) Will be heard in Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee on April 3, 2024.

Bill author

Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan

California State Assemblymember

Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan was first elected to represent Assembly District 16 in the California State Assembly in 2018, which includes Alamo, Danville, Dublin, Lafayette, Livermore, Moraga, Orinda, Pleasanton, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek. Rebecca is an accomplished attorney, environmental advocate, community volunteer, law professor, and mother. As an attorney, Rebecca specialized in ensuring major corporations complied with environmental laws and regulations by leading internal investigations to improve their environmental practices, while maintaining profitability. She also worked with major tech companies on intellectual property cases involving such topics as copyright, trademark, and trade secret theft. Rebecca oversaw and grew her office’s pro bono program and, under her leadership, the office expanded its efforts to include civil rights, immigration, homelessness, and domestic violence.

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Related resources

Letter of Support to Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee, March 27, 2024