BILL NUMBER: AB 1149	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE   AUGUST 17, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 26, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 8, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Aroner

                        FEBRUARY 25, 1999

   An act relating to public utilities.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1149, as amended, Aroner.  Underground electric and
communications facilities.
   Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory
authority over public utilities and, under that authority, has
adopted  tariffs   rules  for the
replacement of overhead electric and communications facilities with
underground facilities.
   This bill would require the commission to conduct a study as to
the ways to amend  , revise,  and improve those 
tariffs   rules  , as specified.   The
commission would have the authority to revise these rules without
prior approval of the Legislature.   The commission would be
required to submit a report on the study to the Legislature on or
before January 1, 2001.
   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.  (a) The Public Utilities Commission shall conduct a
study as to the ways to amend  , revise,  and improve
 tariffs   rules  governing the replacement
of overhead electric and communications facilities with underground
facilities.  The issues to be addressed shall include, but not be
limited to, all of the following:
   (1) Discovering and eliminating barriers to establishing
continuity of the existing underground system and ways to eliminate
uneven patches of overhead facilities.
   (2) How to enhance public safety.
   (3) How to improve reliability.
   (4) How to provide more flexibility  and control  to
local governments.
   (b)  The Public Utilities Commission may revise these rules
without prior approval of the Legislature.
   (c)  Notwithstanding Section 7550.5 of the Government Code,
the Public Utilities Commission shall submit a report on the study
required by subdivision (a) to the Legislature on or before January
1, 2001.