BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 697
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SENATE THIRD READING
SB
697 (Hertzberg)
As Amended July 8, 2015
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE: 36-0
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|Committee |Votes|Ayes |Noes |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|----------------+-----+----------------------+--------------------|
|Utilities |13-0 |Rendon, Patterson, | |
| | |Achadjian, Bonilla, | |
| | |Burke, Dahle, Eggman, | |
| | |Cristina Garcia, | |
| | |Hadley, Obernolte, | |
| | |Quirk, Santiago, Ting | |
| | | | |
|----------------+-----+----------------------+--------------------|
|Appropriations |17-0 |Gomez, Bigelow, | |
| | |Bloom, Bonta, | |
| | |Calderon, Chang, | |
| | |Daly, Eggman, | |
| | |Gallagher, | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | |Eduardo Garcia, | |
| | |Holden, Jones, Quirk, | |
SB 697
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| | |Rendon, Wagner, | |
| | |Weber, Wood | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY: Repeals the California Public Utilities Commission's
(CPUC) requirement to issue a decal to charter party carriers
(CPC) and makes technical changes to the Public Utilities Code
relating to reporting requirements. Specifically, this bill:
1)Repeals the CPUC's requirement to issue a suitable decal for
each vehicle registered with the CPUC and operated by a CPC,
holding a valid permit or certificate of public convenience
and necessity, for motor vehicles designed to carry no more
than eight passengers, including the driver.
2)Consolidates and makes technical changes to the Public
Utilities Code relating to reporting requirements.
FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, this bill would have potential minor savings up to
$30,000 to the Public Utilities Commission Transportation
Reimbursement Account for reduced workload associated with
issuing decals.
COMMENTS:
1)Author's Statement: "[This bill] eliminates antiquated CPUC
decal requirements; SB 697 makes California law clearer and
easier to abide by for limousine and other passenger carriers
and for law enforcement to uphold. [In addition, this bill]
consolidates and clarifies the CPUC's statutory reporting
SB 697
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requirements; SB 697 makes California law clearer and easier
to understand and track all CPUC reports."
2)Background: Current law requires CPCs to display a decal, as
well as a distinctive identifying symbol issued by the CPUC.
Previously CPCs were allowed to obtain special "livery"
license plates in lieu of a decal. When livery plates were
eliminated under SB 611 (Hill), Chapter 860, Statutes of 2014,
stakeholders thought that the distinctive identifying symbol
issued by the CPUC also satisfied the requirement to display a
decal. The CPUC has not issued, nor has it produced, any
decals in over two decades.
Due to the conflicting nature of the statutes, this bill would
repeal the CPUC requirement to issue a suitable decal for CPC
vehicles, hence, leaving only the requirement that CPCs must
display a CPUC-issued distinctive identifying symbol.
3)Consolidating Reporting Requirements in the Public Utilities
Code: This bill also makes technical changes to the Public
Utilities Code by consolidating and clarifying statutory
reporting requirements under one section of the Public
Utilities Code. The CPUC is required by statute to prepare
and publish numerous reports on a wide range of subjects
within its jurisdiction. The reporting requirements are
typically codified in separate sections within the Public
Utilities Code. Consolidating the reporting requirements in a
single area of the Code will assist tracking and compliance.
Analysis Prepared by: Edmond Cheung / U. & C. / (916) 319-2083
FN: 0001743
SB 697
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