ACA 9: Public Utilities Commission.

<p>The bill proposes amendments to California's constitution regarding public utilities. It increases the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) membership from five to nine members, with appointments made by the governor and legislative bodies. The bill removes the PUC's authority to establish its own procedures and for individual commissioners to hold hearings or issue orders without commission approval. Additionally, it mandates that rate-setting must consider affordability.</p> <p>The bill also repeals the constitutional requirement for private corporations managing telephone and telegraph systems to be classified as public utilities. Instead, it grants the legislature the power to define the PUC's duties concerning telecommunications and broadband services, including the option to delegate these responsibilities to other state entities.</p>