BILL NUMBER: AB 2556INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Allen FEBRUARY 24, 2012 An act relating to electricity. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 2556, as introduced, Allen. Electrical lines: trimming of trees. Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has regulatory authority over public utilities, including electrical corporations, as defined, while local publicly owned electric utilities, as defined, are under the direction of their governing boards. Existing law, except as specified, requires any person that owns, controls, operates, or maintains any electrical transmission or distribution line upon any mountainous, forest-covered, brush-covered, or grass-covered land to maintain a clearance in all directions between all vegetation and all conductors that are carrying electric current, as prescribed. Pursuant to its existing authority, the PUC has adopted rules applicable to electrical corporations for the construction of electrical lines and the trimming of trees near electrical lines. This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to modify existing requirements followed by electrical corporations and local publicly owned electric utilities in the trimming of trees and other vegetation to adequately protect public safety while implementing good forestry practices, protecting heritage trees, and respecting community values. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to modify existing requirements followed by electrical corporations and local publicly owned electric utilities in the trimming of trees and other vegetation to adequately protect public safety while implementing good forestry practices, protecting heritage trees, and respecting community values.