CA SB48

Requires findings supporting approval of research and development project expenses in electricity rates to be informed by independent expert review performed by persons knowledgeable, independent, and free of conflicts of interest in the relevant field.

Removes previous requirement for electrical corporations with over 100,000 customer accounts to establish peer review committees by July 1, 2016 to evaluate research and development projects.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to submit reports to the Legislature by February 1, 2016 and every three years thereafter listing all research and development projects where costs were recovered from ratepayers, including published papers, presentations, and patents resulting from funded research.

Clarifies that establishing advisory or review committees to evaluate research and development projects does not constitute an unlawful delegation of the commission's authority.