BILL NUMBER:  AB 1477
  VETOED	DATE: 10/14/2001




10/14/01

To Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 1477 without my signature.

This bill would authorize every local public agency to establish a
311 non-emergency telephone system.  This 311 system would be funded
by a state-imposed  surcharge of 1/4 of 1% (0.25%) on intrastate
telephone communication services.

The bill would require the Department of General Services (DGS) to
develop technical and operational standards for the development of a
coordinated 311 system, review locally submitted plans and monitor
such plans for compliance.  DGS would determine if an increase to the
surcharge is needed, and it would also be responsible for the
disbursement of collected funds from the surcharge to public agencies
and communications equipment suppliers for costs associated with the
311 system.  While I agre e with the author that the 911 emergency
system is overburdened in some jurisdictions, I believe that the
solution provided by AB 1477 is unnecessary at this time.

First, DGS has conducted research on the implementation of
non-emergency pilot projects and has recommended that the State not
invest in a 311 system without conclusive information regarding the
relative benefits of such a program.  Because this bill would
authorize an additional surcharge on telephone users to support this
program, there should be ample justification to support the proposed
level of the increase.  However, none of the pilot studies authorized
by previous legislation have been able to provide this
justification.  In addition, local governments are already authorized
to impose telephone surcharges on users within their jurisdictions,
and may use those revenues to establish non-emergency telephone
systems.  To the extent that individual communities determine a 311
program to be beneficial, local jurisdictions may implement such
programs under existing law and I would encourage such a local
initiative.

Sincerely,



GRAY DAVIS