SB 982

Bill Subjects

Abstract

The California Constitution establishes the Public Utilities Commission and authorizes the commission to exercise jurisdiction over all public utilities, as defined, subject to control by the Legislature. Existing law requires the commission to develop and implement a safety enforcement program applicable to electrical corporations and gas corporations that includes procedures for monitoring, data tracking and analysis, and investigations, as well as issuance of citations by commission staff under the direction of the executive director of the commission. This bill would require the commission, by January 1, 2022, to development and implement a safety enforcement program for other public utilities under the jurisdiction of the commission. Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act or any order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission is a crime. Because the above requirement would be a part of the act and because a violation of an order or decision of the commission implementing that requirements would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program by creating a new crime. Existing law establishes the Public Advocate's Office within the commission to represent and advocate on behalf of the interests of public utility customers and subscribers within the jurisdiction of the commission. This bill would expressly specify that the office is to advocate on behalf of customers of public utilities for the continuous, cost-effective improvement of the safety performance of public utilities. 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.