The California Constitution establishes the Public Utilities Commission consisting of 5 members appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate. The constitution authorizes the commission to establish its own procedures, subject to statute and due process, and also authorizes the commission to fix the rates of all public utilities subject to its jurisdiction.

This measure would require that each member of the commission also be approved by the Assembly. This measure would repeal the authorization for the commission to establish its own procedures. The measure would require the commission, in fixing rates, to consider the affordability of rates.

The California Constitution requires private corporations and persons that own, operate, control, or manage a line, plant, or system for the transmission of telephone and telegraph messages to be public utilities subject to control by the Legislature. The constitution authorizes the Legislature to prescribe additional classes of private corporations or other persons as public utilities.

This measure would repeal the requirement that private corporations and persons that own, operate, control, or manage a line, plant of system for the transmission of telephone and telegraphs messages be public utilities.