BILL NUMBER: SB 531	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Baca

                        FEBRUARY 19, 1999

   An act to add Section 311.4 to the Public Utilities Code, relating
to public utilities.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 531, as introduced, Baca.  Public Utilities Commission:
complaints.
   The Public Utilities Law requires the Public Utilities Commission,
on and after July 1, 1999, to publish specified information on its
Internet site, including, but not limited to, decisions and
resolutions, general orders, the Rules of Practice and Procedure of
the commission, rulings in proceedings, and a docket card for each
proceeding listing documents in the case.
   This bill would require the commission to develop and implement a
procedure to permit complaints to be filed, and related complaint
proceedings to be administered, through electronic means, as defined.
  The bill would prescribe related matters.
   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 311.4 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to
read:
   311.4.  The commission shall develop and implement a procedure to
permit complaints to be filed, and related complaint proceedings to
be administered, through electronic means.  For the purpose of this
section, "electronic means" may include, but shall not be limited to,
e-mail or the Internet, or both.  Upon receipt of a complaint filed
by electronic means, the commission shall immediately serve notice to
the entity named in the complaint.  The commission shall permit a
complaint proceeding to be conducted through electronic means, if, as
determined by the commission, both of the following conditions are
met:
   (a) All parties agree to a complaint proceeding conducted through
electronic means.
   (b)  The hearing officer has the requisite technical means to
administer the proceeding.