BILL NUMBER: AB 1329	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Levine

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2003

   An act relating to public utilities.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1329, as introduced, Levine.  Public Utilities Commission.
   Existing law establishes a Public Utilities Commission, with
powers and duties relating to public utilities, including the
authority to establish its own procedures, subject to statute and due
process, the duty to enforce provisions of law affecting public
utilities, and certain adjudicative powers.
   This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to develop, in
subsequent amendments, consistent and organized processes within the
commission for its proceedings, and for its enforcement and
adjudicative functions.
   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.  (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (1) In 1911 California established by constitutional amendment the
Railroad Commission.  In 1912, the Legislature enacted the Public
Utilities Act (Division 1 (commencing with Section 201) of the Public
Utilities Code), expanding the Railroad Commission's regulatory
authority to include natural gas, electric, telephone, and water
companies as well as railroads and marine transportation companies.
In 1946, the Railroad Commission was renamed the California Public
Utilities Commission.
   (2) The Public Utilities Commission  regulates privately owned
telecommunications, electric, natural gas, water, railroad, rail
transit, and passenger transportation companies.  The Public
Utilities Commission is responsible for ensuring that California
public utility customers have safe, reliable public utility service
at reasonable rates, protecting customers from fraud, and promoting
the health of California's economy.
   (3) In pursuing these goals, the Public Utilities Commission
establishes service standards and safety rules, and authorizes
utility rate changes.  It monitors the safety of public utility and
transportation operations, and oversees markets to inhibit
anticompetitive activity.
   (4) In its efforts to protect consumers, the Public Utilities
Commission prosecutes unlawful public utility marketing and billing
activities, governs business relationships between public utilities
and their affiliates, and resolves complaints by customers against
public utilities.
   (5) The Public Utilities Commission implements energy efficiency
programs, low-income rates, and telecommunications services for
disabled customers.  It oversees the merger and restructure of public
utility corporations, and enforces the California Environmental
Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the
Public Resources Code) for public utility construction.  The Public
Utilities Commission works with other state and federal agencies in
promoting water quality, environmental protection and safety.  It
also intervenes in federal proceedings on issues that affect
California public utility rates or services.
   (6) The Office of Ratepayer Advocates is an independent arm of the
Public Utilities Commission that represents consumers in Public
Utilities Commission proceedings, pursuant to statute.  The Public
Utilities Commission also has a public advisor who assists the public
in participating in Public Utilities Commission proceedings, and a
unit that is charged with informally resolving consumer complaints.
   (b) It is the intent of the Legislature to develop, in subsequent
amendments, consistent and organized processes within the Public
Utilities Commission for its proceedings, and for its enforcement and
adjudicative functions.