BILL NUMBER: SB 1753	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Bowen
   (Coauthors: Senators Burton, Dunn, and Sher)

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2002

   An act to add Section 345.5 to the Public Utilities Code, relating
to public utilities.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1753, as introduced, Bowen.  Independent System Operator:
duties.
   (1) Existing law provides for the establishment of an Independent
System Operator, a nonprofit, public benefit corporation, to ensure
efficient use and reliable operation of the electrical transmission
grid.
   This bill would require the Independent System Operator to conduct
its operations consistent with applicable state laws and consistent
with the interests of the people of the state.  The bill would also
require the Independent System Operator to manage the transmission
grid in a manner that makes the most efficient use of available
energy resources, facilitates reliable electricity service at the
least economic and environmental cost to the state's consumers.  The
bill would also require the Independent System Operator to ensure
that its purposes and functions are consistent with those of a
nonprofit public benefit corporation, maintain open meetings, and
provide public access to corporate records.  Since under existing law
a violation of the bill's requirements would be a crime, this bill
would impose a state-mandated local program by changing the
definition of a crime.
  (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse
local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state.  Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  yes.
State-mandated local program:  yes.


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


  SECTION 1.  Section 345.5 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to
read:
   345.5.  The Independent System Operator, as a nonprofit, public
benefit corporation, shall conduct its operations consistent with
applicable state laws and consistent with the interests of the people
of the state.  The Independent System Operator shall do all of the
following:
   (a) Manage the transmission grid and related energy markets in a
manner that makes the most efficient use of available energy
resources and facilitates reliable electricity service at the least
overall economic and environmental cost to the state's consumers.
   (b) Consult and coordinate with appropriate state and local
agencies to ensure that the Independent System Operator operates in
furtherance of state policies regarding consumer and environmental
protection.
   (c) Ensure that the purposes and functions of the Independent
System Operator are consistent with the purposes and functions of
nonprofit, public benefit corporations in the state, including duties
of care and conflict-of-interest standards for officers and
directors of a corporation.
   (d) Maintain open meeting standards and meeting notice
requirements consistent with the Bagley-Keene Open Meetings Act
(Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of
the Government Code) and affording the public the greatest possible
access, consistent with other duties of the corporation.
   (e) Provide public access to corporate records consistent with the
California Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section
6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code) and affording
the public the greatest possible access, consistent with the other
duties of the corporation.
  SEC. 2.  No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the
only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district
will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction,
eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime
or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government
Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of
Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.