BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    




SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                           AB 1890
Office of Senate Floor Analyses
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                       IN CONFERENCE
                                                              
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Bill No:  AB 1890
Author:   Brulte (R), et al
Amended:  6/19/96 in Senate
Vote:     21
                                                              
                                                             
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 SENATE ENERGY, U. & C. COMMITTEE:   7-0, 6/11/96
AYES:  Alquist, Hughes, Kelley, Leonard, Mountjoy,  
  Rosenthal, Russell, Peace
NOT VOTING:  Hayden

 SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE:   Senate Rule 28.8

 SENATE FLOOR:  40-0, 6/24/96
AYES:  Alquist, Ayala, Beverly, Boatwright, Calderon,  
  Costa, Craven, Dills, Greene, Hayden, Haynes, Hughes,  
  Hurtt, Johannessen, Johnson, Johnston, Kelley, Killea,  
  Kopp, Leonard, Leslie, Lewis, Lockyer, Maddy, Marks,  
  Mello, Monteith, Mountjoy, O'Connell, Peace, Petris,  
  Polanco, Rogers, Rosenthal, Russell, Sher, Solis,  
  Thompson, Watson, Wright

 ASSEMBLY FLOOR:  73-0, 7/24/95 (Passed on Consent)  (May  
  not be relevant -- See NOTE in Digest)
                                                              
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SUBJECT:    Public utilities:  restructuring of the  
electric industry

 SOURCE:     Author
                                                              
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                                                     AB 1890
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2


DIGEST:    This bill states legislative intent with respect  
to restructuring the electric industry.

NOTE:  Senate amendments delete the prior version; however,  
the subject matter and intent remain the same.  As it left  
the Assembly, this bill was authored by Assemblymember  
Conroy and addressed the issues related to electric  
industry restructuring.

 ANALYSIS:    Under existing law, the Legislature authorizes  
the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to  
supervise and regulate every public utility in the state  
and to do all things necessary and convenient in the  
exercise of its power and jurisdiction including the  
approval of utility expenses and the establishment of   
rates.

In an effort to move the electric services industry to a  
more competitive environment, on  December 20, 1995, the  
PUC ordered the implementation of the deregulation of the  
electrical services industry in California.

This bill articulates the issues which must be addressed by  
the Legislature, the PUC and the industry in the  
restructuring debate if the principles set forth in SB 1139  
(Mountjoy -- see Comments) are to be accomplished.  The  
issues set forth in this bill include:

1. Design of the newly-restructured industry.

2. Market power and antitrust problems.

3. Deregulation of the industry as a whole.

4. Transition costs, valuation of stranded assets,  
   amortization periods.

5. Transmission and distribution access, independent grid  
   operators.

6. Public policy issues, including cost, payment, and  
   maintenance of such programs.

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                                                     AB 1890
                                                      Page  
3

This bill is double-joined with AB 3153 (Martinez).

 Comment

This bill is intended to go to conference committee along  
with other measures relative to restructuring of the  
electric industry.  The Senate has chosen two vehicles for  
this purpose:  SB 1139 by Senator Mountjoy and SB 1141 by  
Senator Costa.  The Assembly has chosen AB 1890 by  
Assemblymember Brulte and AB 3153 by Assemblymember  
Martinez.

 FISCAL EFFECT:   Appropriation:  No   Fiscal Com.:  No    
Local:  No
 

NC:ctl  6/21/96  Senate Floor Analyses
            SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:  NONE RECEIVED
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