BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 2137
                                                                  Page  1


          Date of Hearing:   May 21, 2014

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                  Mike Gatto, Chair

                     AB 2137 (Quirk) - As Amended:  May 15, 2014 

          Policy Committee:                              Utilities and  
          Commerce     Vote:                            12-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          Yes    Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill requires the Office of Small Business Advocate (OSBA)  
          within the Governor's Office of Business and Economic  
          Development (GO-Biz) post information regarding demandside  
          energy management programs available to small businesses in  
          California on its internet website.  This bill also requires the  
          California Energy Commission (CEC) and the Public Utilities  
          Commission (PUC) to revise the Energy Upgrade California's  
          website to include demandside management programs for  
          nonresidential customers, with an emphasis on small business.

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          1)One-time costs of $50,000 for GO-Biz .

          2)Minor, absorbable costs for the CEC and PUC. 

           COMMENTS  

           1)Purpose.   According to the author, the state has not yet  
            developed a comprehensive outreach program for small  
            businesses even though funds are being invested in energy  
            efficiency upgrade and outreach programs across the state.   
            Helping small businesses become more energy efficient can help  
            California reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas  
            emissions (GHG) in our most impacted communities.  

            2)Background.   OSBA resides within the Governor's Office of  
            Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and advocates for  
            California's small business community.  OSBA staff provide  








                                                                  AB 2137
                                                                  Page  2

            assistance to the state's small business community on issues  
            ranging from regulations to procurement.  Depending on the  
            issue, staff can refer small businesses to appropriate  
            contacts in state government, business, and service  
            organizations.  OSBA staff also serve on various state  
            interagency working groups and task forces to represent small  
            business interests in state legislation, policy, and  
            procedures. 
            The PUC, in consultation with the CEC, is required to identify  
            all potentially achievable cost-effective electricity and  
            natural gas efficiency savings and establish efficiency  
            targets.


           Analysis Prepared by  :    Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)  
          319-2081