BILL NUMBER: ABX2 4	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Cardoza
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Cohn, Frommer, Reyes, and Salinas)
   (Coauthor: Senator Romero)

                        MAY 15, 2001

   An act to add Section 2774.5 to the Public Utilities Code,
relating to electric power, and declaring the urgency thereof, to
take effect immediately.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 4, as introduced, Cardoza.  Electric power.
   Existing law provides that in the event that any electrical or gas
corporation experiences any shortage of electricity or gas and is
unable to obtain electricity or gas from any other source so that it
is unable to meet the demand of its customers, the Public Utilities
Commission is authorized to order that service be temporarily
reduced.
   This bill would require an electrical corporation or public entity
that provides electric power to immediately notify the Commissioner
of the California Highway Patrol and the sheriff and any affected
chief of police of the specific area within their respective law
enforcement jurisdiction that will sustain a  planned loss of power
as soon as the planned loss becomes known as to when and where that
power loss will occur.
   This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as
an urgency statute.
   Vote:  2/3.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  no.
State-mandated local program:  no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 2774.5 is added to the Public Utilities Code,
to read:
   2774.5.  An electrical corporation or public entity that provides
electric power shall immediately notify the Commissioner of the
California Highway Patrol and the sheriff and any affected chief of
police of the specific area within their respective law enforcement
jurisdictions that will sustain a planned loss of power as soon as
the planned loss becomes known as to when and where that power loss
will occur.  The notification shall include common geographical
boundaries, grid or block numbers of the effected area, and the next
anticipated power loss area designated by the electrical corporation
or public entity during rotating blackouts.
  SEC. 2.  This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the
meaning of Article IV of the Constitution and shall go into immediate
effect.  The facts constituting the necessity are:
   In order to protect the public from increased criminal activity
during the current energy shortage, it is necessary for this act to
take effect immediately.