BILL ANALYSIS
SB 580
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SB 580 (Escutia)
As Amended September 7, 2005
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE :31-8
UTILITIES & COMMERCE 7-3 APPROPRIATIONS 12-4
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|Ayes:|Levine, Blakeslee, Cohn, |Ayes:|Chu, Bass, Berg, |
| |De La Torre, Jerome | |Calderon, Karnette, |
| |Horton, Montanez, | |Klehs, Leno, Nation, |
| |Ridley-Thomas | |Oropeza, Saldana, Yee, |
| | | |Mullin |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Bogh, Keene, Wyland |Nays:|Sharon Runner, Emmerson, |
| | | |Nakanishi, Walters |
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SUMMARY : Requires the Secretary of the Health and Human
Services Agency (HHSA) to evaluate how to provide automatic
enrollment of eligible customers in the California Alternative
Rates for Energy (CARE) program by using existing databases and
complying with state and federal privacy laws. In addition, the
bill would add water to the purview of the Low Income Oversight
Board (LIOB).
EXISTING LAW :
1)Establishes LIOB to advise the Public Utilities Commission
(PUC) on low-income electric and gas customer issues and serve
as a liaison for PUC to low-income ratepayers and
representatives.
2)Requires PUC to examine methods to improve CARE enrollment and
participation, including automatic enrollment of Universal
Lifeline Telephone Service (ULTS) customers who are eligible
for CARE program.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown for HHSA. According to Assembly
Appropriations Committee analysis, minor absorbable costs to PUC
for additional staff support associated with the LIOB's expanded
SB 580
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purview.
COMMENTS : The purpose of this bill is to provide rate relief
for ratepayers who qualify for CARE but have not enrolled in the
program. In addition, the bill is intended to assist low-income
ratepayers during the upcoming winter months when utility bills
are usually high.
Previous versions of this bill added water utilities to the
purview of the LIOB, passed out of Assembly Utilities & Commerce
Committee on a 6-4 vote, and passed out of the Assembly
Appropriations Committee on a 13-5 vote. The bill was recently
amended in the Assembly to include the provisions of automatic
enrollment in the CARE program.
Analysis Prepared by : Gina Mandy / U. & C. / (916) 319-2083
FN: 0013261