BILL NUMBER: AB 301	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Wright

                        FEBRUARY 8, 1999

   An act to add Section 311.3 to the Public Utilities Code, relating
to public utilities.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 301, as introduced, R. Wright.  Public Utilities Commission:
rules:  petition.
   Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission adopts Rules
of Practice and Procedure, and the commission is required to submit
amendments, revisions, or modifications by the commission of those
rules to the Office of Administrative Law for review, as prescribed.

   This bill would require the commission to modify the rules to
permit interested persons to petition the commission to adopt, amend,
or repeal a regulation, as specified.
   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 311.3 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to
read:
   311.3.  The commission shall modify its Rules of Practice and
Procedure to permit interested persons to petition the commission to
adopt, amend, or repeal a regulation.  The rules shall establish a
period, determined by the commission, but not to exceed six months,
during which the commission may consider the petition and either deny
the petition or institute a proceeding to adopt, amend, or repeal
the regulation.  If the commission denies a petition, the order or
resolution of the commission shall include a statement of the reasons
of the commission for that denial.  If the commission finds that it
is precluded by law from granting a petition, the statement of
reasons for denial shall identify the relevant provisions of law.