Electrical corporations: public administrator.

Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations. This bill would authorize the commission, if the commission adopts a decision that includesfindings that an electrical corporation is not complying with state law or rules, regulations, or other directives from the commission, to appoint a public administrator to the electrical corporation for a period not to exceed 180 days, except as provided. The bill would vest the public administrator with oversight authority over the electrical corporation's activities that impact public safety. 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, a violation of which would be a crime, this 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.