SB 1177

Bill Subjects

Abstract

(1) Existing law requires the Public Utilities Commission to require every electrical corporation, gas corporation, water corporation, wireless telecommunications service provider, electric service provider, and telephone corporation with annual gross California revenues exceeding $25,000,000, and their regulated subsidiaries and affiliates, to annually submit a detailed and verifiable plan for increasing procurement from women, minority, disabled veteran, and LGBT business enterprises (WMDVLGBT business enterprises) and an annual report to the commission regarding the implementation of programs related to procurement from WMDVLGBT business enterprises, as specified. Existing law requires the commission to require each of the above-described entities with gross annual California revenues exceeding $15,000,000, but not more than $25,000,000, to annually submit data in a simplified form to the commission on its procurement from WMDVLGBT business enterprises, as specified. Existing law requires the commission, by rule or order to, adopt criteria for verifying and determining the eligibility of WMDVLGBT business enterprises for procurement contracts. This bill would require the above-described entities with annual gross California revenues exceeding $25,000,000, and would require the above-described entities with annual gross California revenues exceeding $15,000,000, but not more than $25,000,000, to include certain information as part of each annual report or data submission described above, including, among other information, data regarding the diversity of contractor or subcontractor workforces, as provided. This bill would require the above-described entities with annual gross California revenues exceeding $25,000,000, and their commission-regulated subsidiaries and affiliates, to submit annually a diversity, equity, and inclusion employment plan, as defined, that includes short- and long-term goals and timetables to promote the employment of women, minorities, disabled veterans, and LGBT individuals at all levels of employment within their organizations, and would require those entities to file an annual report regarding the implementation of the programs to promote the employment of those individuals. Under existing law, a violation of an order, decision, rule, direction, demand, or requirement of the commission is a crime. Because a violation of a commission action implementing this bill's requirements would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) Existing law requires the commission to require each community choice aggregator with gross annual revenues exceeding $15,000,000 to annually submit a report to the commission regarding its procurement from WMDVLGBT business enterprises in all categories, including, but not limited to, renewable energy, energy storage system, and smart grid projects. This bill would require community choice aggregators to provide certain information as part of the above-described annual report, including, among other information, data regarding the diversity of contractor or subcontractor workforces, as provided. The bill would also require the commission to direct each community choice aggregator with gross annual revenues exceeding $15,000,000 to annually submit a detailed and verifiable diversity, equity, and inclusion employment plan to promote inclusive hiring at all levels of employment within its organization, as provided. By imposing additional duties on community choice aggregators, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (3) 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 with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.