BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1541
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ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 1541 (Dickinson)
As Amended April 16, 2012
Majority vote
UTILITIES & COMMERCE 14-0 GOVERNMENTAL
ORGANIZATION 16-0
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|Ayes:|Bradford, Fletcher, |Ayes:|Hall, Nestande, Atkins, |
| |Buchanan, Fong, Fuentes, | |Block, Blumenfield, |
| |Furutani, Gorell, | |Chesbro, Cook, Garrick, |
| |Roger Hern�ndez, Huffman, | |Gatto, Hill, Jones, Ma, |
| |Ma, Nestande, Skinner, | |Perea, |
| |Swanson, Valadao | |V. Manuel P�rez, Silva, |
| | | |Torres |
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APPROPRIATIONS 17-0
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|Ayes:|Fuentes, Harkey, | | |
| |Blumenfield, Bradford, | | |
| |Charles Calderon, Campos, | | |
| |Davis, Donnelly, Gatto, | | |
| |Hall, Hill, Lara, | | |
| |Mitchell, Nielsen, Norby, | | |
| |Solorio, Wagner | | |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Subjects certain actions by the California Public
Utilities Commission (PUC) to the Public Records Act subject to
exemptions for security-related information, proprietary
business information, market-sensitive information, and
personally identifiable employee or customer information.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Requires the PUC to adopt procedures to ensure confidentiality
of market sensitive information.
2)Provides that no information provided to the PUC is open to
the public.
3)Prohibits the PUC reports, orders, or recommendations related
AB 1541
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to accidents from being admissible as evidence in any action
for damages.
4)Provides members of the public access to public records of
state agencies with exceptions for specified types of
information.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, any costs to the PUC will be minor and absorbable.
COMMENTS : According to the author, "The explosions in Rancho
Cordova and San Bruno exposed the serious consequences of
operating in secrecy. The Legislature and the public should be
able to monitor the crucial services regulated by PUC on an
ongoing basis. We should not have to wait for a brief glimpse of
transparency following another tragedy. This bill will bring
PUC into line with the policy and practice of other public
agencies in California. This bill will require PUC to comply
with the intent of the Public Records Act, that the public be
guaranteed access to government documents, unless the
information meets specified criteria, such as endangering the
public by its release."
PUC oversight covers certain, but not all, electric, gas, water,
rail, and telecommunication industries.
The PUC frequently uses its authority to maintain
confidentiality as a tool with which to encourage extensive data
and information requests from the entities it regulates. As a
result, the PUC itself receives market sensitive and proprietary
data that aids in the development and implementation of policies
and regulations. In addition, industry habitually provides data
that is of a sensitive nature related to matters of national
security.
Analysis Prepared by : Susan Kateley / U. & C. / (916)
319-2083
FN: 0003588
AB 1541
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