BILL NUMBER: AB 1200	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Cardenas

                        FEBRUARY 23, 2001

   An act to add Section 706 to the Public Utilities Code, relating
to public utilities.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1200, as introduced, Cardenas.  Public Utilities Commission.
   Existing law authorizes the Public Utility Commission to supervise
and regulate every public utility in the state and to do all things
that are necessary and convenient in the exercise of that power and
jurisdiction.  Pursuant to its powers, the commission has issued
orders and regulations.
   This bill would require the commission to conduct a study as to
the ways to amend, revise, and improve rules governing the handling
of informal matters by the commission.  The bill would expressly
authorize the commission to revise the rules subject to the study
without prior approval of the Legislature.  The bill would require
the commission to submit a report on the study to the Legislature on
or before May 1, 2002.
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  yes.
State-mandated local program:  no.


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


  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares as follows:
   (a) The people of California benefit when telecommunications
providers are permitted to offer new, enhanced, and improved services
to telecommunications consumers on the most expedited basis
possible.
   (b) Telecommunications consumers in California further benefit by
increased equity and fairness in the regulation and oversight of
California's competitive telecommunications markets.
  SEC. 2.  Section 706 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to
read:
   706.  (a) The commission shall conduct a study as to the ways to
amend, revise, and improve rules governing the handling of informal
matters by the commission.  The issues to be addressed shall include,
but not be limited to, all of the following:
   (1) How the commission's General Order No. 96-A relating to the
filing and posting of schedules of rates, rules, and contracts should
be revised to reflect major changes in telecommunications.
   (2) How timeframes for reviewing matters at the commission can be
reduced.
   (3) How to ensure equity in application of the rules among
competitors so that no provider has an undue competitive advantage.
   (4) How to ensure that new services can be brought to customers as
quickly as possible.
   (5) How to provide more flexibility to utilities in providing
their services and meeting competition.
   (6) What matters that are currently handled under an application
process should instead be handled under rules governing informal
filings.
   (b) The commission may revise the rules studied in subdivision (a)
without prior approval of the Legislature.
   (c) The commission shall submit a report on the study required by
subdivision (a) to the Legislature on or before May 1, 2002.