AB 2618 increases prohibition timeline for CPUC commissioners becoming lobbyists

• Isabella Jimenez
• [email protected]

SACRAMENTO, CA - Today, Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael) announced the conclusion of his fourth official "There Ought to be a Law" contest. This year's winning submission came from Dan Hipple, a Tiburon resident. He proposed that a 5-year prohibition be established on California Public Utility Commissioners (CPUC) leaving to work as lobbyists for utility companies, also known as "revolving-door" policy.

"With over three hundred submissions, the fourth year of my 'There Ought to be a Law' contest highlights the passion of our community members in the North Bay," said Assemblymember Connolly. "I am excited to work on AB 2618 and strengthen California's "revolving door" policies to ensure utility companies cannot hire CPUC insiders to help lobby for them."

"Thank you Assemblymember Connolly for the opportunity to submit ideas for 'There Ought to be Law,'" said contest winner Dan Hipple. "With utility rates skyrocketing, it is time California steps in to prevent industry influence over our regulators."

Currently, CPUC commissioners can lobby for major utility companies one year after they leave the commission. AB 2618 will increase this prohibition timeframe to five years. The CPUC is the main entity that approves requests from utility companies to raise rates. AB 2618 strengthens the state's ethics laws and seeks to reduce the influence utility companies can have over their own regulation.

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Assemblymember Connolly represents the entirety of Marin County and Southern Sonoma County