BILL NUMBER: SB 363	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Hancock

                        FEBRUARY 25, 2009

   An act relating to utility rates.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 363, as introduced, Hancock. Utility rates: schools.
   Existing law establishes the Ratepayer Relief Fund in the State
Treasury to benefit electricity and natural gas ratepayers and to
fund investigation and litigation costs of the state in pursuing
allegations of overcharges and unfair business practices against
generators, suppliers, or marketers of electricity or natural gas.
Existing law requires that any energy settlement agreement, as
defined, entered into by the Attorney General, after reimbursing the
Attorney General's litigation and investigation expenses, direct
settlement funds to the following purposes in priority order: (1) to
reduce ratepayer costs of those utility ratepayers harmed by the
actions of the settling parties, and (2) for deposit in the Ratepayer
Relief Fund. Existing law authorizes the moneys deposited in the
Ratepayer Relief Fund to be appropriated for certain purposes for the
benefit of ratepayers.
   This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to direct
moneys and interest generated by an energy settlement agreement with
The Williams Companies, Inc. and Williams Energy Marketing & Trading
Company, received for energy efficiency retrofit of schools and
public buildings, to supplement existing electrical utility rebates
available to school districts to make the effective rebate $5 per
watt.
   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.  (a) "Williams Settlement Funds" means any moneys
obtained, and any interest generated by the moneys, through the
settlement of litigation with The Williams Companies, Inc. and
Williams Energy Marketing & Trading Company, made and entered into as
of November 11, 2002, and received for energy efficiency retrofit of
schools and public buildings.
   (b) Notwithstanding Section 16428.3 of the Government Code, it is
the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to direct Williams
Settlement Funds to supplement existing electrical utility rebates
available to school districts to make the effective rebate five
dollars ($5) per watt.