Section 394.3.

In order to carry out essential elements of a sustainable and effective consumer protection program in connection with electric service providers offering electrical service to residential and small commercial customers as intended by the Legislature in this article, the following shall apply:

(a) A registration fee of one hundred dollars ($100) shall be collected from electric service providers required to register under this article, and the fee proceeds shall be deposited in the Public Utilities Reimbursement Account established under Section 402.

(b) The commission shall annually determine the costs of administering the registration program and other facets of consumer protection directly related to the direct access transactions of electric service providers, including the cost for the duties imposed pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 392.1. The commission shall only collect those costs not already being collected elsewhere. Registrants who fail to submit to the commission required fees or information upon which fees are calculated within 30 days of billing shall be subject to a 15-percent penalty.

(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 1005, Sec. 10.4. Effective January 1, 2000.)