BILL NUMBER: SB 1037	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Kehoe

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2005

   An act to repeal Section 25620.9 of the Public Resources Code,
relating to public interest energy research.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1037, as introduced, Kehoe.   Public interest energy research.
   Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and
Development Commission (Energy Commission) to develop, implement, and
administer the Public Interest Research, Development, and
Demonstration Program. Existing law requires that the program include
a full range of research, development, and demonstration activities
that, as determined by the Energy Commission, are not adequately
provided for by competitive and regulated markets. Existing law
requires the Energy Commission to administer the program, as
specified.
   Existing law requires the Energy Commission to designate a panel
of independent experts with special expertise in public interest
energy research, development, and demonstration programs to evaluate
projects under those programs, and to submit a preliminary and final
report, as specified, to the Governor and the Legislature, making
findings and recommendations for the implementation of this program.
Existing law would repeal these provisions on July 1, 2006.
    This bill, instead, would repeal the provisions as of January 1,
2006.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


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


  SECTION 1.  Section 25620.9 of the  Public Resources Code  is
repealed.  
   25620.9.  (a) Not later than three months after the enactment of
this section, the commission shall designate a panel of independent
experts with special expertise in public interest research,
development, and demonstration programs. In order to ensure
continuity in the evaluation of the public interest energy research,
demonstration, and development projects, the commission, when
practicable, shall select experts that served on prior independent
review panels. The panel shall conduct a comprehensive evaluation of
the program established pursuant to this chapter. The evaluation
shall include a review of the public value of programs established
pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, the monetary
and nonmonetary benefits to public health and the environment, and
the benefit of providing funds for technology development that would
otherwise not be funded.(b) Not later than 15 months after the
enactment of this section, the panel designated pursuant to
subdivision (a) shall submit a preliminary report to the Governor and
to the Legislature on its findings and recommendations on the
implementation of the program established pursuant to this chapter.
The panel, not later than 30 months after the enactment of this
section, shall submit a final report to the Governor and to the
Legislature, including any additional findings and recommendations
regarding implementation of the program.
   (c) This section shall remain in effect only until July 1, 2006,
and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that
is enacted before January 1, 2007, deletes or extends that date.