Bill Text: CA SR15 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Relative to the Division of Ratepayer Advocates

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-08-15 - Read. Adopted. (Ayes 35. Noes 1. Page 1855.) [SR15 Detail]

Download: California-2013-SR15-Enrolled.html

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BILL NUMBER: SR 15	ENROLLED
	BILL TEXT

	ADOPTED IN SENATE  AUGUST 15, 2013
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  FEBRUARY 19, 1950

INTRODUCED BY   Senators Beall and Hill

                        JUNE 13, 2013

   Relative to the Division of Ratepayer Advocates


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
             HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST



   WHEREAS, The Division of Ratepayer Advocates represents
residential and small business customers of electricity, natural gas,
water, and communications investor-owned utilities for the purpose
of obtaining the lowest possible rates for utility customers
consistent with safe and reliable service; and
   WHEREAS, The Division of Ratepayer Advocates was created in the
California Public Utilities Commission in 1984; and
   WHEREAS, The Legislature recognized the Division of Ratepayer
Advocates in statute in 1996 to give the division independence from
the commission in order for the division to carry out its role in
advocating on behalf of public utility customers; and
   WHEREAS, In 2005, the Legislature expanded the charge of the
Division of Ratepayer Advocates to represent the interests of
customers in all significant proceedings and forums, rather than just
proceedings at the commission; and
   WHEREAS, The Division of Ratepayer Advocates has 137 authorized
positions, including economists, engineers, policy analysts,
auditors, and accountants, with expertise in regulatory issues
related to the electricity, natural gas, water, and
telecommunications industries in California; and
   WHEREAS, The Division of Ratepayers Advocates saved residential
and small business customers nearly $4 billion in 2012, which was
nearly $153 for every dollar allocated to the division; and
   WHEREAS, In 2012, the Division of Ratepayer Advocates participated
in 176 commission proceedings and filed more than 600 pleadings to
aid the commission in developing the record from which commissioners
formulated their final decisions; and
   WHEREAS, The Division of Ratepayer Advocates provides thoughtful
analysis of pressing issues, including white papers on the effect of
time-variant pricing on small electric service customers, energy
utility service disconnections, effective smart meter deployment, and
a guide to California's renewable energy policies and programs; and
   WHEREAS, The Division of Ratepayer Advocates achieves its
statutory mission to represent and protect electricity, natural gas,
water, and communications investor-owned utility customers in
Sacramento by taking positions on bills, testifying in informational
and bill hearings, providing technical legislative and constituent
assistance, participating in working groups, and providing updates on
the actions of the division and of the commission; now, therefore,
be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate
hereby supports the Division of Ratepayer Advocates and the
substantial contributions it has made to the residents of California;
and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the Governor of California.