BILL ANALYSIS
Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
84 (Burton)
Hearing Date: 7/19/01 Amended: 7/17/01
Consultant: Lisa Matocq Policy Vote: E, U & C
11-0
____________________________________________________________
___
BILL SUMMARY:
SB 84xx, an urgency bill, appropriates $10 million from the
General Fund to the California Energy Commission (CEC) to
establish a grant program for cities and counties to
purchase and install backup battery systems for
light-emitting diodes (LED) traffic signals, as specified.
Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
Major Provisions 2001-02 2002-03
2003-04 Fund
Grant program $ 10,000* --
-- General
Administration Unknown --
-- General
*Appropriated in the bill.
STAFF COMMENTS: This bill meets the criteria for referral
to the Suspense File.
The CEC previously administered a $10 million grant program
for, and currently offers loans to, cities and counties to
help them replace traditional incandescent traffic signals
with LED signals.
The bill establishes priorities for grant awards, and
contains a 30% match requirement. This is apparently
intended to be a one-time appropriation. Staff notes that
there is no sunset.
STAFF RECOMMENDS that the bill be amended to (1) specify
that CEC's administrative costs may not exceed 5% of the
amount appropriated, and (2) require CEC to report to the
Legislature and Governor on expenditures, including grant
awards, and program activities.