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HomePublic Utilities CodeDiv. 1Pt. 1Ch. 4Art. 2§ 734 Public Utility Rate Reparation

§ 734 Public Utility Rate Reparation

Public Utilities Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 734 Public Utility Rate Reparation

Key Takeaways

  • •If you complain about a public utility (like water, electricity, or gas) charging too much, the government can check if the price is unfair.
  • •If the price is unfair, the utility company might have to pay you back the extra money you paid, plus interest.
  • •The company doesn’t have to pay you back if the government already said the price was fair before.
  • •You can’t sell or give away your complaint to someone else unless it’s because of special situations like death, bankruptcy, or a court order.

Example

Your electricity bill is way higher than usual, and you think the company is charging too much.

You complain to the government, and they check if the price is unfair. If it is, the company might have to give you back the extra money you paid, plus a little more for the trouble.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 734 Public Utility Rate Reparation

When complaint has been made to the commission concerning a rate for a product or commodity furnished or service performed by a public utility, and the commission has found, after investigation, that the public utility has charged an unreasonable, excessive, or discriminatory amount therefor in violation of any of the provisions of this part, the commission may order that the public utility make due reparation to the complainant therefor, with interest from the date of collection if no discrimination will result from that reparation. No order for the payment of reparation upon the ground of unreasonableness shall be made by the commission when the rate in question has, by formal finding, been declared by the commission to be reasonable, and no assignment of a reparation claim shall be recognized by the commission except assignments by operation of law as in cases of death, lack of legal capacity to make decisions, bankruptcy, receivership, or order of court. (Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 144, Sec. 51. (AB 1847) Effective January 1, 2015.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

treatmentdiscriminationutilityreparationdeathbankruptcyclaimcommission

Related Statutes

  • § 735 Reparation Payment Enforcement Deadlines
  • § 737 Public Utility Tariff Claims
  • § 738 Utility Claim Accrual Rules
  • § 701.8 Bart District Power Delivery
  • § 729 Utility Rate Regulation Authority

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Public Utilities Code. Section 734.
View Official Source