CA AB1843

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a comprehensive whistleblower protection program as part of Rulemaking 11-02-019 (Order Instituting Rulemaking on natural gas transmission and distribution pipelines, filed February 24, 2011)

Protects public utility employees, former employees, and third-party contractors and subcontractors from retaliation for reporting information to the commission or other public entities, including the Attorney General's whistleblower hotline, regarding safety issues and related matters

Violation of the commission's whistleblower protection rules constitutes a crime under existing Public Utilities Code provisions

Provides that no state reimbursement is required to local agencies or school districts because costs result from creation of a new crime