BILL NUMBER: AB 516	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Brown

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2013

   An act relating to energy.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 516, as introduced, Brown. Renewable energy: transmission
infrastructure: taking of birds.
   Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory
authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations,
as defined, while local publicly owned electric utilities, as
defined, are under the direction of their governing boards. Existing
law establishes various requirements and programs to promote the use
of renewable energy. Existing law establishes the Department of Fish
and Wildlife and requires the department to enforce and administer
the fish and game laws pursuant to the policies formulated by the
Fish and Game Commission. Existing fish and game laws make it
unlawful to take any bird, except as provided.
   This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation that would establish a mechanism for permitting the
taking of birds, eggs, and nests, subject to reasonable avoidance,
minimization, and mitigation measures to facilitate the construction
of electrical transmission infrastructure to help achieve the state's
renewable energy goals.
   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.  It is the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation that would establish a mechanism for permitting the
taking of birds, eggs, and nests, subject to reasonable avoidance,
minimization, and mitigation measures to facilitate the construction
of electrical transmission infrastructure to help achieve the state's
renewable energy goals.