SF1824 Summary

• Appropriates $8,348,000 to Department of Commerce and $7,465,000 to Public Utilities Commission for fiscal years 2018-2019, with funds allocated to energy resources, telecommunications, and petroleum tank compensation.

• Modifies dispute resolution procedures for qualifying facilities and public utilities; allows cooperative electric associations to opt out of Public Utilities Commission regulation by adopting local resolution and rules.

• Changes solar energy standard requirements: maintains 1.5% retail electric sales goal by 2020 but adjusts small-scale photovoltaic device thresholds (20-40 kilowatts depending on utility size) and extends permit validity period for innovative energy projects from 2019 to 2025.

• Prohibits state regulation of voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) and Internet protocol-enabled services, while requiring VoIP providers to comply with 911 service access requirements and specific surcharge collection obligations.

• Establishes Residential PACE Consumer Protection Legislation Task Force with 16 members to develop consumer protections for single-family home energy improvement financing programs; suspends PACE programs until protective legislation is enacted.