California Code, Public Utilities Code - PUC § 1011

The provisions of this article are enacted under the State's reserved power over public utilities or corporations, or both, as the case may be, for the purpose of acting on the right of the grantee of a public utility franchise granted by a city, county, or city and county, to exercise rights thereunder, and not for the purpose of acting on the right of any city or city and county to grant any such franchise.  The Legislature hereby declares that the provisions of this article shall remain in full force and effect concurrently with the right of any city or city and county to grant franchises for public utilities upon the terms and conditions and in the manner prescribed by law.