AB 705

  • California Assembly Bill
  • 2025-2026 Regular Session
  • Introduced in Assembly
  • Passed Assembly Jun 02, 2025
  • Senate
  • Governor

Public Utilities Commission: Independent Office of Audits and Investigations.

Abstract

Existing law requires the Public Utilities Commission to appoint a chief internal auditor to hold office at the pleasure of the commission. Existing law requires the chief internal auditor to be responsible for the oversight of the internal audit unit and to plan, initiate, and perform audits of key financial, management, operational, and information technology functions within the commission to improve accountability and transparency to executive and state management. This bill would delete the provision providing for the appointment of the chief internal auditor and instead provide that, effective January 1, 2026, the internal audit unit of the commission and its staff are transferred to the Independent Office of Audits and Investigations, which the bill would establish within the commission, as specified. The bill would provide for the appointment and removal of the director of the office, who would have the title of Inspector General. The bill would require that the office have access and authority to examine all records, files, documents, accounts, reports, correspondence, or other property of the commission, public utilities, and other entities regulated by the commission, as specified. The bill would require the Inspector General to report to the Governor and the Legislature, as provided. Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act or any order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission is a crime. Because the provisions of this bill would be a part of the act and because a violation of a commission action implementing the bill's requirements would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Bill Sponsors (1)

Votes


Actions


Aug 29, 2025

Senate

In committee: Held under submission.

Aug 18, 2025

Senate

In committee: Referred to suspense file.

  • Referral-Committee
suspense file.

Jul 16, 2025

Senate

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 15. Noes 1.) (July 15). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  • Committee-Passage
  • Committee-Passage-Favorable
  • Referral-Committee
Com. on APPR.

Jun 11, 2025

Senate

Referred to Com. on E., U & C.

  • Referral-Committee
Com. on E., U & C.

Jun 03, 2025

Senate

In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

Jun 02, 2025

Assembly

Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 1846.)

May 27, 2025

Assembly

Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

May 23, 2025

Assembly

From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 23).

May 14, 2025

Assembly

In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.

  • Referral-Committee
suspense file.

Apr 24, 2025

Assembly

From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 18. Noes 0.) (April 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  • Committee-Passage
  • Committee-Passage-Favorable
  • Referral-Committee
Com. on APPR.

Mar 18, 2025

Assembly

Re-referred to Com. on U. & E.

  • Referral-Committee
Com. on U. & E.

Mar 17, 2025

Assembly

From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on U. & E. Read second time and amended.

Mar 13, 2025

Assembly

Referred to Com. on U. & E.

  • Referral-Committee
Com. on U. & E.

Feb 15, 2025

Assembly

From printer. May be heard in committee March 17.

Feb 14, 2025

Assembly

Read first time. To print.

Bill Text

Bill Text Versions Format
AB705 HTML
02/14/25 - Introduced PDF
03/17/25 - Amended Assembly PDF

Related Documents

Document Format
04/22/25- Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy PDF
05/12/25- Assembly Appropriations PDF
05/28/25- ASSEMBLY FLOOR ANALYSIS PDF
07/11/25- Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications PDF
08/15/25- Senate Appropriations PDF

Sources

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