BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 697
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SB
697 (Hertzberg)
As Amended September 3, 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, Rendon, Wagner, | |
| | |Weber, Wood | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
SB 697
Page 2
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SUMMARY: Repeals the California Public Utilities Commission's
(CPUC) requirement to issue a decal to charter party carriers
(CPC), extends the sunset date on the CPUC's authority to issue
financing orders, allows for the electronic filing of
legislative reports, and makes additional codifying and
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)Extends the sunset on the CPUC's authority to issue financing
orders, as specified, from 2015 to 2016.
3)Allows reports submitted to the Legislature or the Governor,
as specified, to be submitted electronically, unless
specifically requested to submit a printed copy, as specified.
4)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.
SB 697
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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
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, Statues 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
SB 697
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single area of the code will assist tracking and compliance.
Furthermore, this bill allows mandated reports, as specified,
to be submitted electronically, unless a printed copy is
specifically requested. Electronic filing will reduce costs
associated with printing and processing.
4)Extends the Sunset on CPUC's Financing Orders Authority:
Current law gives the CPUC authority to issue financing
orders, as specified. This authority is set to expire on
December 31, 2015. In 2014, the Governor vetoed SB 38
(Padilla) because it also would have inadvertently taken away
the CPUC's authority to continue enforcing the collection of
some residual bond expenses. According to the CPUC, the
one-year extension is needed for it to continue to assess if
the expiration of the authority would have an impact on its
ability to issue financing orders or enter into agreements
with the Department of Water Resources, which potentially
could have an impact on ratepayers.
Analysis Prepared by:
Edmond Cheung / U. & C. / (916) 319-2083 FN:
0002071