BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1656
Page 1
GOVERNOR'S VETO
AB 1656 (Goldberg)
As Amended August 20, 2001
2/3 vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |42-31|(June 4, 2001) |SENATE: |21-15|(September 4, |
| | | | | |2001) |
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| | | | | | |
|-----------+-----+----------------+--------+-----+---------------|
|ASSEMBLY: |45-29|(September 6, | | | |
| | |2001) | | | |
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Original Committee Reference: B. & P.
SUMMARY : Imposes registration and disclosure requirements on
self-service storage facilities that transport household goods.
Specifically, this bill :
1)Provides that self-service storage facilities that move
household goods, in containers that have been loaded by
customers, shall register with the California Public Utilities
Commission (CPUC) in accordance with regulations adopted by
CPUC.
2)Provides that a self-service storage company shall obtain a
customer's written acknowledgement of the company's right to
move a storage container from its initial storage location,
and requires the company to provide the customer with at least
30 days advance notice when this move will occur and the
options available to the customer.
The Senate amendments :
1)Delete the requirement that customers could refuse to allow a
self-service storage facility to move the customer's goods
from an initial storage location and, instead, require that a
self-service storage company provide a customer with at least
AB 1656
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30 days advance notice when the company plans to move the
customer's goods from an initial storage location.
2)Require a self-service storage company to inform customers
that they have the right to register complaints with CPUC.
3)Require CPUC to accept, tally and help resolve such
complaints.
4)Make technical and clarifying changes.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Provides that household goods carriers are regulated by CPUC.
2)Provides that self-service storage facilities that transport
containers with household goods shall not be subject to
regulation by CPUC if the facility complies with specified
requirements. These requirements include: limits on fees
charged to customers; prohibitions on loading, packing or
handling the contents of the container by the facility;
maintaining cargo insurance; and, providing customers with
specified disclosure information.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill imposed registration and
disclosure requirements on self-service storage facilities that
transport household goods.
FISCAL EFFECT : Minor one-time special funds costs (less than
$100,000) for CPUC to adopt the required regulations. Minor
absorbable ongoing costs for CPUC to enforce the requirements
placed on self-service storage facilities.
COMMENTS : The author notes that current law provides that the
transportation by a self-service storage facility of portable
containers filled with used household goods and personal effects
is exempt from regulation by CPUC if the facility complies with
specified requirements. This bill is designed to enhance
consumer protections by requiring self-service storage
facilities to register with CPUC and ensure that consumers
understand that the container with their household goods may be
moved away from the storage facility where the container was
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originally stored.
GOVERNOR'S VETO MESSAGE :
This bill would extend the jurisdiction of the Public
Utilities Commission (PUC) to certain storage
activities currently governed by the California
Self-Service Storage Act. This issue was considered
by the Legislature in 1998 when new rules were
established governing the transportation of individual
storage containers. At that time, both the
Legislature and the PUC concluded that PUC oversight
was unnecessary.
I do not believe that PUC oversight is now necessary
to protect self-service storage customers. In fact,
the Senate committee analysis of AB 1656 concluded
that there was no evidence of a problem that would
require further regulation of this industry. For
these reasons, I cannot sign this legislation.
Analysis Prepared by : Jay Greenwood / B. & P. / (916) 319-3301
FN: 0003900