BILL NUMBER: AB 1235	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Pescetti

                        FEBRUARY 23, 2001

   An act to amend Section 891 of the Public Utilities Code, relating
to public utilities.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1235, as introduced, Pescetti.  Natural gas surcharge:
interstate pipelines.
   The Public Utilities Act requires the Public Utilities Commission
to establish a surcharge on all natural gas consumed in this state to
fund certain low-income assistance programs, cost-effective energy
efficiency and conservation activities, and public interest research
and development, as prescribed.  The act requires that, except as
specified, all persons consuming natural gas in this state that has
been transported by an interstate pipeline be liable for that
surcharge.  The term "interstate pipeline" is defined to mean any
entity that owns or operates a natural gas pipeline delivering
natural gas to consumers in the state and is subject to rate
regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
   This bill would modify the definition of the term "interstate
pipeline" to mean any entity that owns or operates a natural gas
pipeline delivering natural gas to consumers in the state and is
subject to regulation by FERC.
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  no.
State-mandated local program:  no.


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


  SECTION 1.  Section 891 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to
read:
   891.  (a) "Gas utility" means any public utility gas corporation
or interstate pipeline as defined in this section.
   (b) "Public utility gas corporation" means a public utility gas
corporation as defined in Section 216.
   (c) "Interstate pipeline" means any entity that owns or operates a
natural gas pipeline delivering natural gas to consumers in the
state and is subject to  rate  regulation by the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
   (d) Each gas utility shall notify the State Board of Equalization
of its status under this section.  Each person who consumes natural
gas delivered by an interstate pipeline shall annually register with
the State Board of Equalization.  The State Board of Equalization may
require any documentation that it determines to be necessary to
implement this article.