BILL ANALYSIS �
SB 196
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Date of Hearing: August 12, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Ed Chau, Chair
SB 196 (Cannella) - As Amended: June 25, 2013
SENATE VOTE : 34-0
SUBJECT : Utility rates: mobilehomes and apartment buildings.
SUMMARY : Allows the management in mobilehome parks and
apartments that are master-metered to post the Web site address
of the current utility rate schedule as an alternative to
posting the actual rate schedule. Specifically, this bill :
1)Authorizes the management in a mobilehome park or apartment
building that is master-metered to post, in a conspicuous
place, the Internet Web site address of the specific current
residential utility rate schedule.
2)Specifies that if the management elects to post the Web
address rather than the actual rate schedule, the management
must do both of the following:
a) State in the posting that a homeowner or individual user
may request a copy of the rate schedule from management
and;
b) Provide a copy of the rate schedule upon request at no
cost.
EXISTING LAW requires a master-meter customer in a mobilehome
park or apartment building, among other duties, to post in a
conspicuous place the prevailing residential utilities rate
schedule as published by the serving utility (Public Utilities
Code �739.5).
FISCAL EFFECT : None
COMMENTS :
Over 2,000 mobilehome park owners in the state provide
electricity to their tenants through a master meter. In such
cases, the park owner receives electricity from the utility at a
master meter. The electricity is then distributed to tenants
SB 196
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through infrastructure owned by the park owner and a sub-meter
located at each tenant's mobilehome. The tenants are billed by
the park owner for the electricity they use in the same way that
a utility would if the tenant was being directly served by the
utility. Some apartment communities also are master-metered.
Current law requires the management in mobilehome parks and
apartments that are master-metered to post the utility rate
schedule in a conspicuous place. According to the author,
utility rate sheets have become voluminous and cumbersome to
post and are rarely sought out and viewed by residents. In
addition, when changes are made to the prevailing rates, park
management often receives the new rate schedule in the mail long
after the fact, whereas the rates are generally updated online
immediately.
SB 196 authorizes the management in mobilehome parks and
apartments that are master-metered to either post the Web site
address where the utility's rate information is published or
continue to post the prevailing rate schedule as currently
required by law. If management chooses to post the Web address,
the posting must state that residents may request a copy of the
rate schedule from the management and management must provide
the rate schedule upon request at no cost.
Double referred : The bill passed the Committee on Utilities and
Commerce on June 17, 2013, by a vote of 12 to 0.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association (sponsor)
California Apartment Association
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Anya Lawler / H. & C.D. / (916)
319-2085
SB 196
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