BILL NUMBER: SB 118	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Bowen

                        FEBRUARY 3, 2003

   An act to amend Section 303 of the Public Utilities Code, relating
to the Public Utilities Commission.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 118, as introduced, Bowen.  Public Utilities Commission:
conflict of interest.
   Under existing law, no person may be appointed to or hold the
office of public utilities commissioner who also is employed by,
holds any official relation with, owns stocks or bonds of, or is in
any manner pecuniarily interested in, any corporation or person that
is subject to regulation by the commission.  Existing law requires
the commission to adopt an updated Conflict of Interest Code and
Statement of Incompatible Activities, by February 28, 1998, in a
manner consistent with applicable law.
   This bill would require the commission to adopt an updated
Conflict of Interest Code and Statement of Incompatible Activities,
by February 28, 2004, in a manner consistent with applicable law.
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  yes.
State-mandated local program:  no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 303 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to
read:
   303.  (a) A public utilities commissioner may not hold an official
relation to nor have a financial interest in a person or corporation
subject to regulation by the commission.  If any commissioner
acquires a financial interest in a corporation or person subject to
regulation by the commission other than voluntarily, his or her
office shall become vacant unless within a reasonable time he or she
divests himself or herself of the interest.
   (b) The commission shall adopt an updated Conflict of Interest
Code and Statement of Incompatible Activities, by February 28,
 1998   2004  , in a manner consistent with
applicable law.