BILL ANALYSIS SB 1891 Page 1 SENATE THIRD READING SB 1891 ( Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee) As Amended August 4, 2004 Majority vote SENATE VOTE : 37-0 UTILITIES AND COMMERCE 23-0 APPROPRIATIONS 20-0 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Ayes:|Reyes, Aghazarian, Bogh, |Ayes:|Chu, Runner, Bates, berg, | | |Calderon, Canciamilla, | |Calderon, Corbett, | | |Diaz, Jerome Horton, La | |Correa, Daucher, | | |Malfa, Levine, Maddox, | |Firebaugh, Goldberg, | | |Ridley-Thomas, Wesson | |Keene, Leno, Nation, | | | | |Negrete McLeod, Oropeza, | | | | |Pavley, Ridley-Thomas, | | | | |Wesson, Wiggins, Yee | ----------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY : Makes technical, non-controversial changes to existing law. Specifically, this bill : 1)Renumbers a provision of the Public Utilities Code to eliminate duplicative statutory numbering. 2)Creates an exemption from a requirement that multi-unit residential complexes must be individually metered for electrical and gas service to allow multi-unit complexes to not have gas meters if they are only equipped with vented decorative appliances (gas fireplaces). 3)Deletes two sections in the Public Utilities Code that are duplicative of similar sections in the Public Resources Code. EXISTING LAW requires all residential units in an apartment or similar multi-unit residential structure, condominium, or mobile home park built after July 1, 1982, to be individually metered for electric and gas service. A dormitory or other housing accommodation provided by any postsecondary educational institution for students or employees and farmworker housing are exempt from the requirement. Separate metering for gas service is not required for residential units which are not equipped with gas appliances requiring venting or that receive most of the energy used for water or space heating from a solar energy SB 1891 Page 2 system or through cogeneration technology. FISCAL EFFECT : Minor absorbable costs to the California Public Utilities Commission. COMMENTS : This is an annual omnibus code clean-up bill. In addition, this bill also addresses an issue, raised by San Diego Gas and Electric concerning gas meters on multi-unit residential complexes, to specifically allow new apartment complexes to install gas fireplaces without installing individual gas meters on each unit. Analysis Prepared by : Edward Randolph / U. & C. / (916) 319-2083 FN: 0007283