BILL NUMBER: SB 1194	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Sher

                        FEBRUARY 26, 1999

   An act to add Section 381.5 to the Public Utilities Code, relating
to public utilities.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1194, as introduced, Sher.  Electrical restructuring:  public
benefit programs.
   (1) The Public Utilities Act requires the Public Utilities
Commission to order specified electrical corporations to collect and
spend certain funds for prescribed public benefit programs.  The act
specifically requires cost-effective energy efficiency and
conservation activities to be funded by San Diego Gas and Electric
Company, Southern California Edison Company, and Pacific Gas and
Electric Company at specified levels, commencing January 1, 1998,
through December 31, 2001.
   This bill, notwithstanding the above provision, would require the
San Diego Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Edison
Company, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California Gas
Company, and any other public utility designated by the commission,
to administer those activities, as prescribed by the commission,
through December 31, 2001.   The bill would require the commission,
before January 1, 2002, to study the feasibility of administering the
activities though a nonprofit public benefit corporation. Because a
violation of the act by a public utility is a crime, this bill would
impose a state-mandated local program by creating a new crime.
  (2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse
local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  yes.
State-mandated local program:  yes.


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


  SECTION 1.  Section 381.5 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to
read:
   381.5.  Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of
Section 381, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, Southern California
Edison Company, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern California
Gas Company, and any other public utility designated by the
commission, shall administer the cost-effective energy efficiency and
conservation activities described in that paragraph, as prescribed
by the commission, through December 31, 2001.  Before January 1,
2002, the commission shall study the feasibility of administering
those activities though a nonprofit public benefit corporation.
  SEC. 2.  No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution because the
only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district
will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction,
eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime
or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government
Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of
Section 6 of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution.