BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1879
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 1879 (Beall)
As Amended August 4, 2010
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |67-8 |(June 1, 2010) |SENATE: |34-0 |(August 9, |
| | | | | |2010) |
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Original Committee Reference: U. & C.
SUMMARY : Requires the California Public Utilities Commission
(PUC) to reconsider a 1986 decision that allows a utility to
backbill small commercial customers for up to three years.
The Senate amendment stipulates that if PUC does not reconsider
its decision on or before January 1, 2011, the PUC shall open a
new proceeding to determine appropriate retroactive billing
limits.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBY , this bill was substantially similar to
the version passed by the Senate.
FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, absorbable cost to PUC, which has already opened a
proceeding on this issue. [Public Utilities Reimbursement
Account]
COMMENTS : The utilities' tariffs are authorized by PUC and
govern the timing of adjustment of bills for meter or billing
error. A current PUC tariff, promulgated in 1986, allows
residential customers to only be backbilled for three months
worth of undercharges. However, for commercial and industrial
customers, the tariff allows the utility to backbill up to three
years worth of undercharges.
Analysis Prepared by : DaVina Flemings / U. & C. / (916)
319-2083
FN: 0005786