California Public Utilities Commission
General information
Office Type:	Nonpartisan
Office website:	Official Link
Compensation:	$234,689
2025 FY Budget:	$3,667,948,000
Total Seats:	5
Term limits:	None
Structure
Length of term:	6 years
Authority:	California Constitution, Article 12, Section 1
Selection Method:	Appointed by governor
Current Officeholder(s)
Matt Baker,Karen Douglas,Darcie Houck,Alice Reynolds,John Reynolds
Other California Executive Offices
Governor •Lieutenant Governor •Secretary of State •Attorney General •Treasurer •Auditor •Controller •Superintendent of Public Instruction •Agriculture Secretary •Insurance Commissioner •Natural Resources Secretary •Industrial Relations Director •Public Utilities Commission

TheCalifornia Public Utilities Commission is a quasi-executive agency in the California state government. The commission regulates the state's privately owned electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, railroad, rail transit, and passenger transportation companies.^[1] The commission consists of five commissioners appointed by thegovernor and confirmed by thestate Senate. The administrative head of the commission is the executive director, who oversees day-to-day operations.

Current officeholders

The current officeholders are:

• Matt Baker (nonpartisan)
• Karen Douglas (nonpartisan)
• Darcie Houck (nonpartisan)
• John Reynolds (nonpartisan)
• Alice Reynolds (nonpartisan)

Authority

The commission's authority is established by theCalifornia Constitution.^[2]

California Constitution, Article 12, Section 1

Qualifications

The only unique requirement of public utilities commissioners is that they not have a financial interest in or official relation to any utility.^[3] However, commissioners must still satisfy the basic requirements for civil service employment in the state; he or she must be a resident of the state, at least 18 years of age, not a convicted felon, and not a member of the Communist Party or any other organization that advocates the overthrow of the U.S. government.^[4]

Appointments

Commissioners are appointed by thegovernor to six-year terms with the approval of thestate Senate. The legislature is permitted to remove commissioners for "incompetence, neglect of duty, or corruption," by a vote of two-thirds of both houses.^[2]

California Constitution, Article 12, Section 1

Term limits

There are no term limits associated with the office of public utilities commissioner.

Vacancies

Vacancies are filled bygubernatorial appointment until the end of the term.^[2]

California Constitution, Article 12, Section 1

Duties

The commission is responsible for making and enforcing regulation of the state's public utilities, which include electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, railroad, rail transit and passenger transportation companies. The commission's role is quasi-executive in that it enforces regulations, quasi-legislative in that it makes them, and quasi-judicial in that it holds hearings and receives testimony on potential regulatory rulings.

The Public Utilities Commission must approve all rate changes, enforces consumer protection and safety laws, investigates complaints or issues concerning public utilities providers. The commission also employs a number of administrative law judges who rule on regulatory matters, facilitate alternative dispute resolution, and conduct hearings on the commission's rulings or policies.^[5]

Divisions

As of January 12, 2021, divisions within the Public Utilities Commission included:^[5]

State budget

See also:California state budget and finances

The budget for the California Public Utilities Commission in the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year was $3,667,948,000.^[6]

Compensation

The commissioners salaries, like that of all other non-elected executive department heads, are determined by Section 11550 of California's Government Code and are subject to annual increases.^[7]

2023

In 2023, each commissioner received a salary of $234,689, according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[8]

2022

In 2022, each commissioner received a salary of $228,965, according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[9]

2021

In 2021, each commissioner received a salary of $219,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[10]

2020

In 2020, each commissioner received a salary of $219,000 according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[11]

2019

In 2019, each commissioner received a salary of $158,573 according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[12]

2018

In 2018, each commissioner received a salary of $152,474 according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[13]

2017

In 2017, each commissioner received a salary of $146,609 according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[14]

2016

In 2016, each commissioner received a salary of $142,411 according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[15]

2015

In 2015, each commissioner received a salary of $138,324 according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[16]

2014

In 2014, the commissioners received a salary of$138,528 according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[17]

2013

In 2013, the commissioners received a salary of$138,528 according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[18]

2010

In 2010, the commissioners received a salary of$137,100 according to theCouncil of State Governments.^[19]

Historical officeholders

There have been 98 California public utilities commissioners since 1911.^[20]

Recent news

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Contact info

Physical office:
505 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 703-2782
Fax: (415) 703-1758

See also

California	State Executive Elections	News and Analysis
California State Executive OfficesCalifornia State LegislatureCalifornia Courts	2026 •2025 •2024 •2023 •2022 •2021 •2020 •2019 •2018 •2017 •2016California elections:2026 •2025 •2024 •2023 •2022 •2021 •2020 •2019 •2018 •2017 •2016	Party control of state governmentState government trifectasState of the state addressesPartisan composition of governors

External links

• California Public Utilities Commission

Footnotes

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