Wilk measure to reform Public Utilities Commission passes Assembly

SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, joined Assemblyman Mike Gatto, D-Los Angeles, in presenting an Assembly Constitutional Amendment, ACA 11 that would give Californian voters the opportunity to remove the constitutional protections currently enjoyed by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

“The PUC comes from the era when Hiram Johnson was California's Governor and running on the Bull-Moose party ticket with Theodore Roosevelt,” Wilk said. “I believe ACA 11 is a rare opportunity to substantially reform a state agency that is in dire need of modernization to reflect our 21st Century economy.” 

ACA 11, also known as the Public Utility Reform Act of 2016, recognizes that recent disasters such as the Aliso Canyon gas leak highlight the PUC's inability to juggle regulating such diverse interests. If passed by Californian voters, ACA 11 would reform the Public Utilities Code to modernize the PUC in order to meet 21st Century challenges.

To be placed on the November 2016 Ballot, ACA 11 would need a 2/3 vote in the Senate then a simple majority approval from voters. The measure would then go into effect on January 1, 2019.

ACA 11 is now heading to the Senate.