Bill Text: CA SB291 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Public Utilities Commission: safety enforcement: gas and electrical corporations.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2013-10-05 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 601, Statutes of 2013. [SB291 Detail]

Download: California-2013-SB291-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: SB 291	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Hill

                        FEBRUARY 14, 2013

   An act to add Section 1702.5 to the Public Utilities Code,
relating to the Public Utilities Commission.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 291, as introduced, Hill. Public Utilities Commission: safety
enforcement: gas and electrical corporations.
   Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has
regulatory authority over public utilities, including gas
corporations and electrical corporations, as defined. The Public
Utilities Act requires the PUC to investigate the cause of all
accidents occurring upon the property of any public utility or
directly or indirectly arising from or connected with its maintenance
or operation, resulting in loss of life or injury to person or
property and requiring, in the judgment of the PUC, investigation by
it, and authorizes the PUC to make any order or recommendation with
respect to the investigation that it determines to be just and
reasonable. The act additionally authorizes the PUC to ascertain and
fix just and reasonable standards, classifications, regulations,
practices, measurements, or services to be furnished, imposed,
observed, and followed by specified public utilities, including
electrical and gas corporations. Existing law authorizes the PUC to
issue and serve citations in the enforcement of certain pipeline
safety laws applicable to mobilehome park gas delivery systems and
propane operators.
   This bill would require the PUC to develop and implement
procedures for issuance of citations by PUC staff, under the
direction of the Executive Director of the PUC, to gas corporations
and electrical corporations for correction and punishment of safety
violations. The bill would require the PUC to develop and implement
an appeals process to govern issuance and appeal of citations.
   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 1702.5 is added to the Public Utilities Code,
to read:
   1702.5.  (a) The commission shall develop and implement procedures
for issuance of citations by commission staff, under the direction
of the Executive Director, to gas corporations and electrical
corporations for correction and punishment of safety violations.
   (b) The commission shall develop and implement an appeals process
to govern the issuance and appeal of citations issued by the
commission.