BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                  AB 4  X2
                                                                  Page  1

          ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
          AB 4 X2 (Cardoza)
          As Introduced May 15, 2001
          2/3 vote.  Urgency

           SUMMARY  :  Requires electrical providers to notify local law  
          enforcement of planned blackouts.  Specifically,  this bill   
          requires:

          1)An electrical corporation or public entity that provides  
            electric power to immediately notify the Commissioner of the  
            California Highway Patrol and the sheriff and chief of police  
            of the specific area within their 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.

          2)That the notification to law enforcement 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.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :   According to the Assembly Appropriations  
          Committee analysis, "potential minor local costs for increased  
          local incarceration."

           COMMENTS  :   According to the author, "The current energy crisis  
          has had the unfortunate consequence of causing blackouts  
          throughout California.  During a blackout entire neighborhoods  
          can be placed at risk as traffic lights fail to function and  
          burglar alarms are made inoperable. 

          "AB 4 X2 requires electrical service providers to notify local  
          law enforcement agencies when and where a blackout will occur.   
          Power generators and electric service providers throughout the  
          state have inconsistent methods for notifying local law  
          enforcement officials of planned power losses.  In some cases,  
          electric service providers refuse to give specific information  
          about the geographical areas affected making it extremely  
          difficult for additional officers and deputies to be deployed in  
          a timely manner.  This bill will provide our police and sheriffs  
          with the necessary tools to prevent crime and protect the public  
          safety of all Californians during a blackout."  

          Please see the policy committee analysis on AB 30 X1 (Cardoza)  








                                                                  AB 4  X2
                                                                  Page  2

          for a more detailed discussion of this bill.
           

          Analysis Prepared by  :  Bruce E. Chan / PUB. S. / (916) 319-3744 



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