FL H0565

Eliminates exemption for commission staff from ex parte communication prohibitions, requiring staff to follow same rules as commissioners regarding discussions about pending matters.

Requires all oral and written communications between commissioners/staff and utility representatives be made public with advance notice to the Public Counsel, except for brief emergency-related or follow-up communications which require summary within 10 working days.

Prohibits former commissioners and employees from lobbying the legislative or executive branches for 2 years after leaving the commission, and from appearing before the commission representing regulated utilities or industries for 2 years (applies to those appointed/employed on or after July 1, 2010).

Prohibits former commissioners and staff from accepting employment or compensation from regulated utilities, their parent companies, affiliates, or subsidiaries, or trade associations that were parties to commission proceedings within 2 years preceding termination (applies to those terminating employment on or after July 1, 2010).

Grants the Public Counsel access to telecommunications and public utility records held by the commission for matters within the commission's jurisdiction.