BILL NUMBER: SB 72	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 10, 2003
	AMENDED IN SENATE  MARCH 25, 2003

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Dunn

                        JANUARY 21, 2003

   An act to add Section 346.5 to the Public Utilities Code, relating
to electric power.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 72, as amended, Dunn.  Independent System Operator.
   Existing law requires the establishment and operation of an
Independent System Operator to ensure efficient use and reliable
operation of the state's electricity transmission grid consistent
with certain criteria.  Existing law requires the Independent System
Operator to participate in all relevant Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) proceedings.
   This bill, except as specified, would require the Independent
System Operator, before it submits to FERC any discretionary filing
proposing to amend its tariff for the purpose of changing the
function, design, or purpose of the wholesale electricity market in
this state, including, but not limited to computer systems upgrades,
to determine that the proposed change will have a demonstrable
economic benefit for ratepayers in this state.  The bill would
require the Independent System Operator to describe and quantify the
benefit of the proposed change in a report made available to the
public on its  website   Web site  at least
30 days before the date of the filing.
   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 346.5 is added to the Public Utilities
Code to read:
   346.5.   (a) Before the Independent System Operator submits
to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission any discretionary filing
proposing to amend its tariff for the purpose of changing the
function, design, or purpose of the wholesale electricity market in
this state, including, but not limited to, computer systems upgrades,
the Independent System Operator shall determine that the proposed
change will have a demonstrable economic benefit for ratepayers in
this state.  The Independent System Operator shall describe and
quantify the benefit of the proposed change in a report which it
shall make available to the public on its  website 
 Web site  at least 30 days before the date of the filing.
   (b) This section does not apply to  any  
either of the following:
   (1) Any  filing required by the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission.  
   (2) Any emergency filing submitted to the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission.