Bill Text: CA SB805 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Water corporations: low-income rate relief programs.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-02-03 - Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [SB805 Detail]

Download: California-2013-SB805-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: SB 805	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator De León

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2013

   An act to amend Section 739.8 of the Public Utilities Code,
relating to water corporations.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 805, as introduced, De León. Water corporations: low-income
rate relief programs.
   Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory
authority over public utilities, including water corporations, as
defined, and authorizes the commission to fix the rates and charges
for every public utility, and requires that those rates and charges
be just and reasonable. Existing law requires the Public Utilities
Commission to consider, and authorizes the commission to implement,
programs to provide rate relief for low-income ratepayers of a water
corporation and to provide appropriate incentives and capabilities to
achieve water conservation goals.
   This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change in these
provisions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  Section 739.8 of the Public Utilities Code is amended
to read:
   739.8.  (a) Access to an adequate supply of healthful water is a
basic necessity of human life, and shall be made available to all
residents of  California   the state  at an
affordable cost.
   (b) The commission shall consider and may implement programs to
provide rate relief for low-income ratepayers.
   (c) The commission shall consider and may implement programs to
assist low-income ratepayers in order to provide appropriate
incentives and capabilities to achieve water conservation goals.
   (d) In establishing the feasibility of rate relief and
conservation incentives for low-income ratepayers, the commission may
take into account variations in water needs caused by geography,
climate and the ability of communities to support these programs.