BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1182
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 25, 2005
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON UTILITIES AND COMMERCE
Lloyd E. Levine, Chair
AB 1182 (Calderon) - As Amended: April 12, 2005
SUBJECT : Public Utilities Commission: work plan access guide.
SUMMARY : Requires the California Public Utilities Commission
(PUC) to post its annual work plan on its Internet website, and
implement a plan for submitting informal filings by electronic
means if deemed feasible.
EXISTING LAW: Requires the PUC to develop an annual work plan
access guide that describes the scheduled ratemaking proceedings
and other decisions that may be considered by the commission
during the calendar year. In addition, current law requires the
PUC to develop a program to disseminate the information in the
work plan using computer mailing lists to provide regular
updates on the information.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown.
COMMENTS : According to the author, the purpose of this bill is
to permit the use of available technology to more efficiently
submit filings and provide information to the public. The author
intends to increase efficiency, reduce production costs, and
utilize a currently available technology that provides a more
efficient manner of communication and disseminating information.
1) The Annual Work Plan Access Guide : This bill would require
the PUC to post the annual work plan access guide on its
Internet site. According to the PUC, it is common practice to
post all decisions, resolutions, orders, rulings, and reports on
its Internet website. A brief search confirms that the work plan
access guide is accessible via the PUC Internet website. The
author has legitimate concerns that the PUC Internet site can be
difficult to navigate. This bill would require the PUC to place
the work plan under the Official Documents area of the site.
2) Formal v. informal matters : The PUC engages in two types of
matters, formal and informal. Formal matters are those that
require a proceeding and involve agenda decisions and rulings.
The PUC has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit bids
for a system that would allow electronic filings for formal
AB 1182
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matters.
Informal matters involve filings such as advice letters.
Utilities are permitted to use informal filings, or advice
letters, to make certain changes to their tariffs. Currently,
the utilities submit advice letters to the PUC and to interested
parties by filing and transmitting paper copies. This bill would
require the PUC to determine, as part of a proceeding, the
feasibility of submitting informal filings to the PUC through
electronic means. If determined to be feasible, the bill
requires the PUC to develop an implementation plan within six
months. Electronic means includes electronic mail and electronic
forms developed or approved by the PUC and submitted through the
PUC's Internet website.
The RFP that is being issued for the formal filings would not
include informal filings. Because the filing systems are
expensive and would require constant monitoring and testing by
staff while they are being developed, it would be responsible of
the PUC to put the formal system in place first, perfect it,
then solicit bids for the informal filing system.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
None on file.
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Gina Mandy / U. & C. / (916) 319-2083