California CARE Legislation

CALIFORNIA CODES
PUBLIC UTILITIES CODE
SECTION 739.1-739.2

739.1. (a) The commission shall establish a program of assistance
to low-income electric and gas customers, the cost of which shall not
be borne solely by any single class of customer. The program shall
be referred to as the California Alternate Rates for Energy or CARE
program.

(b) The commission's program of assistance to low-income electric
and gas customers shall, as soon as practicable, include nonprofit
group living facilities specified by the commission, if the
commission finds that the residents in these facilities substantially
meet the commission's low-income eligibility requirements and there
is a feasible process for certifying that the assistance shall be
used for the direct benefit, such as improved quality of care or
improved food service, of the low-income residents in the facilities.
The commission shall authorize utilities to offer discounts to
eligible facilities licensed or permitted by appropriate state or
local agencies, and to facilities, including women's shelters,
hospices, and homeless shelters, that may not have a license or
permit but provide other proof satisfactory to the utility that they
are eligible to participate in the program.

739.2. (a) The commission's program of assistance to low-income
electric and gas customers shall also include the following
facilities, provided the commission finds that the occupants of the
facilities substantially meet the commission's low-income eligibility
requirements and there is a feasible process for certifying that the
assistance shall be used for the direct benefit of the occupants of
the facilities:
(1) Migrant farm worker housing centers provided pursuant to
Section 50710 of the Health and Safety Code.
(2) Employee housing, as defined in Section 17008 of the Health
and Safety Code, that is licensed and inspected by state or local
agencies pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 17000) of
Division 13 of the Health and Safety Code.
(3) Housing for agricultural employees, as defined in subdivision
(b) of Section 1140.4 of the Labor Code, that has received an
exemption from local property taxes pursuant to subdivision (g) of
Section 214 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(b) The assistance provided pursuant to subdivision (a) shall only
apply to gas and electricity, or both, used for the housing occupied
by the workers and employees specified in subdivision (a).

Page Last Updated: September 24, 2009