SB 68

Bill Subjects

Abstract

The Warren-Alquist State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Act requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to adopt those regulations that are necessary to carry out the act. This bill would require the commission to submit a regulation that is adopted by the commission, but which is not operative, on or before January 1, 2011, to the Legislature before the regulation may become operative. The bill would provide that the regulation would become operative only if both houses of the Legislature approve the regulation by a majority vote and the state's unemployment rate remains below 5.1% for 3 consecutive months. The bill would prohibit a regulation that is adopted, but not implemented, on or before January 1, 2011, from being implemented until the state's unemployment rate remains below 5.1% for 3 consecutive months. A subsequent rise in the unemployment rate after that consecutive 3-month period would not prevent the commission from implementing new regulations. The California Constitution authorizes the Governor to declare a fiscal emergency and to call the Legislature into special session for that purpose. The Governor issued a proclamation declaring a fiscal emergency, and calling a special session for this purpose, on January 8, 2010. This bill would state that it addresses the fiscal emergency declared by the Governor by proclamation issued on January 8, 2010, pursuant to the California Constitution.