BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 106|
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Bill No: SB 106
Author: Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review
Amended: 9/10/15
Vote: 21
SENATE FLOOR: Not relevant
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: Not available
SUBJECT: TEST
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST: This bill is the California Public Utilities
Commission (CPUC) Reform Trailer Bill. This bill contains
necessary changes related to the Budget Act of 2015. This bill
makes various statutory changes to implement the 2015-16 Budget.
Assembly Amendments delete the prior version of the bill and
insert current language.
ANALYSIS:
This bill:
1) Requires the California Research Bureau to conduct a
programmatic review of the CPUC to ensure that the Commission
is the best governmental entity to direct, regulate, and
oversee specified public utility sectors.
2) Specifies that the Department of Finance's Office of State
Audits and Evaluations (OSAE) assess each activity and
position related to the energy responsibilities of the CPUC,
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as identified in the Commission's zero-based budget, supports
the core mission of the Commission. Requires the OSAE, by
April 1, 2016, to submit a report to the Legislature on the
assessment.
3) Provides that the Office of Ratepayer Advocates (ORA), the
independent consumer advocate within the CPUC, has control
over its legal resources by clarifying that attorneys funded
by ORA administratively report to ORA instead of the CPUC.
4) Requires the CPUC to report to the Legislature on the
outcomes of the California Hub for Energy Efficiency
Financing program and prohibits the Commission from approving
any extension of the program sooner than 30 days after making
its report.
5) Requires the Department of Finance to report to the
Legislature, on a semiannual basis, any CPUC actions to
redirect personnel from authorized positions, including
loaning staff to other state agencies or departments.
6) Provides for an appropriation of $5 million to the base
budget of the CPUC. A like amount was reduced in the 2015-16
Budget Act.
7) Requires that any additional moneys made available to fund
the New Solar Homes Partnership Program be deposited into the
Emerging Renewable Resources Account of the Renewable
Resource Trust Fund if the California Energy Commission is
designated the third party administer for the Program.
8) Requires the CPUC to establish, by April 1, 2016, an
expedited grid interconnection dispute resolution process to
resolve disputes over interconnection applications that are
within the jurisdiction of the CPUC in no more than 60 days
from the time the dispute is formally brought to the
Commission.
9) Expands the locations the CPUC may hold its monthly meetings
to include Sacramento.
10)Requires the CPUC to notify the Joint Legislative Budget
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Committee (JLBC) when it enters into a contract for outside
legal counsel to represent the Commission in any criminal
investigation at an expense exceeding $1 million and provide
a copy of the contract to JLBC within 10 days of it being
approved by the Department of General Services. Prohibits
the Commission from retaining outside legal counsel for
representation of individual employees in any criminal
investigation, unless that individual has testified on behalf
of the public entity in any criminal, civil, or
administrative action, as specified in law.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Yes Fiscal
Com.:YesLocal: No
According to the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, this
bill provides for an appropriation of $5 million to the base
budget of the CPUC. A like amount was reduced in the 2015-16
Budget Act.
SUPPORT: (Verified9/10/15)
None received
OPPOSITION: (Verified9/10/15)
None received
Prepared by:Catherine Freeman / B. & F.R. / (916) 651-4103
11/16/16 10:42:56
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