BILL NUMBER: SB 834	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 10, 2003

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Bowen

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2003

   An act to add Section  713   709.9  to
the Public Utilities Code, relating to public utilities.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 834, as amended, Bowen.  Public utilities  :  high speed
communications services  .
   Existing law authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to
supervise and regulate every public utility in the state.  
Existing law requires the commission to convene a proceeding, by
April 1, 2003, to develop a plan for encouraging the widespread
availability and use of advanced communications infrastructure. 

   This bill would  declare the intent of the Legislature to
establish policies, in subsequent legislation, to reform the
regulation of public utilities   require the commission
to convene a proceeding to consider how to encourage more competition
in the provision of high speed communications services.  The bill
would require the commission to submit a report to the Legislature of
its findings and recommendations by July 1, 2004  .
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  
no   yes  . State-mandated local program:  no.



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

  
  SECTION 1.  Section 713 is added to the Public Utilities 

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) The policy of the state is to encourage the deployment of new
telecommunications technology in a way that encourages the ubiquitous
availability of a wide choice of state-of-the-art services.
   (b) The Public Utilities Commission has found that in most cities,
customers do not have a choice among high speed communications
services.
  SEC. 2.  Section 709.9 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to
read:
   709.9.  (a) The commission shall convene a proceeding to consider
how to encourage more competition in the provision of high speed
communications services and shall make appropriate recommendations to
the Legislature.
   (b) The commission shall submit a report to the Legislature of its
findings and recommendations by July 1, 2004.   Code,
to read:
   713.  It is the intent of the Legislature, in subsequent
legislation, to establish policies to reform the regulation of public
utilities.