Assemblyman Scott Wilk

Assemblyman Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, announced he will joint-author legislation with Assemblyman Mike Gatto, D-Los Angeles, to place an initiative before voters on the November ballot to repeal the constitutional protections currently held by the California Public Utilities Commission.

“The gas leak at the Aliso Canyon facility has been an extremely eye-opening experience having witnessed firsthand the lack of accountability on behalf of our state’s regulators,” said Wilk. “In order to reflect today’s needs, I believe the CPUC needs serious reforms. Allowing voters the opportunity to repeal the constitutional protections they currently have and allow the legislature to reallocate their functions to provide greater accountability to all Californians is a no brainer.”

Along with the legislation repealing the constitutional mandate and authority of the CPUC, it will also require the legislature to reassign the functions of the commission by 2018, the same time various statutory provisions will expire.

The Assembly Concurrent Resolution is currently being drafted by legislative counsel and will be introduced before the February 19th bill introduction deadline.

The 38th Assembly District encompasses Simi Valley, the northwestern section of the San Fernando Valley and most of the Santa Clarita Valley.