Public Utilities Commission: public advisor: Independent System Operator.

(1) Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission with regulatory authority over public utilities. Existing law requires the commission to appoint a public advisor and establish an office of the public advisor, both of which are required, among other things, to perform specified duties relating to public participation in commission proceedings. Existing law requires the public advisor to publicize the commission's programs for encouraging and supporting participation in the commission's proceedings. This bill would require the public advisor to work with all of the divisions of the commission to ensure that the commission's internet website provides adequate transparency in the information provided to the public and would specify that the public advisor has the responsibility for ensuring that the activities of the commission are as transparent to the public as reasonably possible and consistent with applicable law. The bill would require the commission, upon a request by the public for any public records, to follow the procedures and requirements of the California Public Records Act, as specified. (2) Existing law provides for the establishment of an Independent System Operator (ISO) as a nonprofit public benefit corporation, and requires the ISO to ensure efficient use and reliable operation of the electrical transmission grid consistent with achieving planning and operating reserve criteria no less stringent than those established by the Western Electricity Coordinating Council and the North American Electric Reliability Council. Existing law requires the ISO to maintain open meeting standards and meeting notice requirements consistent with the general policies of the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act and states that specified policies adopted by the ISO meet this requirement. Existing law requires the ISO to provide corporate records consistent with the general policies of the California Public Records Act and states specified policies adopted by the ISO meet this requirement. This bill would state it is the intent of the Legislature that greater transparency in the operation of the facilities subject to the control of the ISO and the markets administered by the ISO is in the public interest. The bill would require specified information in the possession of the ISO and the commission to be published in a timely manner on the internet website of the ISO. (3) The California Constitution provides that the Legislature has plenary power to establish the manner and scope of review of commission action in a court of record. Existing law provides that only the Supreme Court and the court of appeal have jurisdiction to review, reverse, correct, or annul any order or decision of the commission or to suspend or delay the execution or operation thereof, or to enjoin, restrain, or interfere with the commission in the performance of its official duties. This bill would authorize an action to enforce the requirements of the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act or the California Public Records Act to be brought against the commission in the superior court.