Chapter 7. Valuation Of Public Utility Properties of California Public Utilities Code >> Division 1. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 7.

The commission may ascertain for each purpose specified in this part, the value of the property of every public utility in this State and every fact and element of value which in its judgment may or does have any bearing on such value. The commission may make revaluations from time to time and ascertain the value of all additions, betterments, extensions, and new construction to the property of every public utility.

For the purpose of ascertaining the matters and things specified in Section 1351, the commission may cause a hearing to be held at such time and place as it may designate. Before any hearing is had, the commission shall give the public utility affected thereby at least 30 days' written notice, specifying the time and place of the hearing, and such notice shall be sufficient to authorize the commission to inquire into the matters designated in Sections 1351 to 1354, inclusive, but this provision shall not prevent the commission from making any preliminary examination or investigation into those matters. All public utilities affected shall be entitled to be heard and may introduce evidence at such hearing. The evidence introduced at such hearing shall be reduced to writing and certified under the seal of the commission.

(a) The commission may make and file its written findings of fact upon matters concerning which evidence has been introduced before it which, in its judgment, have bearing on the value of the property of the public utility affected. These findings shall be subject to review by the courts in the same manner and within the same time as other orders and decisions of the commission.
  (b) The findings of the commission so made and filed, when certified under the seal of the commission, shall be admissible in evidence in any action, proceeding, or hearing before the commission or any court in which the commission, the state, or any officer, department, or institution thereof, or any county, city and county, city, or other body politic and the public utility affected may be interested, whether arising under this part, or otherwise. These findings, when so introduced, shall be conclusive evidence of the facts therein stated as of the date therein stated under conditions then existing, and these facts may only be controverted by showing a subsequent change in conditions bearing upon the facts therein determined.

The commission may, from time to time, cause further hearings and investigations to be had for the purpose of making revaluations or ascertaining the value of any additions, betterments, extensions, and new construction made by any public utility subsequent to any prior hearing or investigation, and may examine into all matters which may change, modify, or affect any finding of fact previously made, and may at such time make findings of fact supplementary to those theretofore made. Such hearings shall be had upon the same notice, and be conducted in the same manner, and the findings so made shall have the same force and effect as is provided in this chapter for original notice, hearing, and findings. Findings made at such supplemental hearings or investigations shall be considered in connection with and as a part of the original findings, except insofar as such supplemental findings change or modify the findings made at the original hearing or investigation.