BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1200
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 9, 2001
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Carole Migden, Chairwoman
AB 1200 (Cardenas) - As Amended: April 19, 2001
Policy Committee:
UtilitiesVote:17-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to
study ways to improve the handling of telecommunications matters
before the commission and report to the Legislature by May 1,
2002 regarding how best to:
1)Ensure equity in the application of rules among competitors.
2)Reduce the time for reviewing matters before the commission.
3)Ensure that new services are brought to consumers as quickly
as possible.
4)Provide more flexibility to the utilities in providing service
and meeting competition.
FISCAL EFFECT
Minor absorbable special fund cost (less than $100,000) to the
PUC.
COMMENTS
Background and Purpose . Existing law requires local exchange
carriers to file applications with the PUC to significantly
increase service prices, introduce new services or to otherwise
materially change service. These firms are also required to
file advice letters with the PUC when providing pricing
flexibility for discretionary or partially competitive services,
making non-substantive changes to tariffs or modifying services
in a non-substantive manner.
AB 1200
Page 2
In addition, recent reforms reduced the statutory time required
for the PUC to resolve various filings and proceedings, and
determined that adjudicatory matters (complaints) had to be
resolved within 12 months and other matters within 18 months.
AB 1200 calls for the PUC to further review its internal
processes and timelines to in part ensure that new
telecommunications services can be brought to Californians in
the shortest possible time.
Analysis Prepared by : Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916)319-2081