BILL NUMBER: AB 1723	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  SEPTEMBER 12, 2001
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JULY 18, 2001
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JULY 9, 2001
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 31, 2001

INTRODUCED BY   Committee on Utilities and Commerce (Wright (Chair),
Pescetti (Vice Chair), John Campbell, Canciamilla, Cardenas, Diaz,
Jackson, Maddox, Nation, Papan, Reyes, and Wesson)

                        MARCH 15, 2001

   An act to amend Section 19325 of, and to add Section 19325.1 to,
the Education Code, relating to the State Library, and making an
appropriation therefor.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1723, as amended, Committee on Utilities and Commerce.  State
Library: telephonic reading systems.
   Existing law authorizes the State Librarian to provide toll-free
telephone services for registered patrons of the federally designated
regional libraries for the blind and physically handicapped in order
to enable those persons to have direct patron access to library
services.
   This bill would authorize the State Librarian to provide toll-free
telephone access to telephonic reading systems for individuals with
print disabilities who are registered patrons of the federally
designated regional libraries for the blind and physically
handicapped.  The bill would authorize the State Librarian to operate
a telephonic reading system, as defined, or fund the operation of
telephonic reading systems operated by qualifying entities, as
defined.  The bill would appropriate  $2,000,000 
 $830,000  from the California Teleconnect Fund
Administrative Committee Fund to the California State Library to fund
the 7 existing telephonic reading centers in specified cities, until
July 1, 2002.  The bill would require that any funds appropriated to
the California State Library under the bill, which are not
encumbered on or before July 1, 2002, revert to the fund.
   The bill would make related findings and declarations.
   Vote:  2/3.  Appropriation:  yes.  Fiscal committee:  yes.
State-mandated local program:  no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Thousands of California citizens have disabilities that
prevent them from directly accessing conventional print material due
to visual impairments, dyslexia, and orthopedic disabilities, which
prevent the physical manipulation of print materials.
   (b) For decades there have been governmental and nonprofit
organizations dedicated to providing access to reading materials on a
wide variety of subjects by way of Braille, large print, or audio
tape recordings.
   (c) Access to time-sensitive or local or regional publications, or
both, is not feasible to produce through these traditional means and
formats.
   (d) Lack of direct and prompt access to these materials, such as
newspapers, magazines, newsletters, broadcast media schedules, and
other time-sensitive materials has a detrimental effect on the
educational opportunities, literacy, and opportunity for full
participation in governmental and community forums by people with
print disabilities.
   (e) The California State Library, through the leadership of State
Librarian Dr. Kevin Starr, has caused to be established in five
locations throughout California high technology systems that provide
access to previously inaccessible material by use of a standard
telephone.
   (f) These telephonic reading systems are currently underutilized
because they are capable of serving many more people than can call
without incurring long distance telephone charges.
   (g) It is not cost-effective to establish the hundreds of
locations necessary to give print disabled Californians local
telephone call access to those locations.
   (h) Toll-free access to current and future telephonic reading
systems operated by governmental or nonprofit organizations in
California will provide meaningful access to this important print
material for all Californians with print disabilities.
  SEC. 2.  This bill may be known and shall be cited as the Kevin
Starr Access to Information Act of 2001.
  SEC. 3.  Section 19325 of the Education Code is amended to read:
   19325.  The State Librarian may provide the following:
   (a) Toll-free telephone services for registered patrons of the
federally designated regional libraries for the blind and physically
handicapped, in order to enable those persons to have direct patron
access to library services.
   (b) Toll-free telephone access to telephonic reading systems for
individuals with print disabilities who are registered patrons of the
federally designated regional libraries for the blind and physically
handicapped.
  SEC. 4.  Section 19325.1 is added to the Education Code, to read:
   19325.1.  (a) The State Librarian may operate a telephonic reading
system, fund the operation of telephonic reading systems operated by
qualifying entities, or both.
   (b) As used in this section, the following terms have the
following meanings, unless otherwise indicated:
   (1)"Telephonic reading system" means a system operated by the
State Librarian or a qualifying entity, whereby a caller can hear the
reading of material such as newspapers, magazines, newsletters,
broadcast media schedules, transit route and schedule information,
and other reference or time-sensitive materials, as determined by the
operator of the system.
   (2) "Qualifying entity" means any agency, instrumentality, or
political subdivision of the state or any nonprofit organization
whose primary mission is to provide services to people who are blind
or visually impaired.
   (c) Qualifying entities that were eligible, as of January 1, 2001,
to receive funds from the State Librarian relating to the operation
of a telephonic reading system may continue to receive funding from
the State Librarian.
   (d) The State Librarian, in cooperation with qualifying entities,
may expand the type and scope of materials available on telephonic
reading systems in order to meet the local, regional, or foreign
language needs of print-disabled residents of this state.  The State
Librarian may also expand the scope of services and availability of
telephonic reading services by current methods and technologies or by
methods and technologies that may be developed.  The State Librarian
may inform current and potential patrons of the availability of
telephonic reading service through appropriate means, including, but
not limited to, direct mailings, direct telephonic contact, and
public service announcements.
   (f) The State Librarian may enter into contracts or other
agreements that he or she determines to be appropriate to provide
telephonic reading services pursuant to this section.
  SEC. 5.  The sum of  two million dollars ($2,000,000)
  eight hundred thirty thousand dollars ($830,000) 
is hereby appropriated from the California Teleconnect Fund
Administrative Committee Fund to the California State Library to fund
the seven existing telephonic reading centers in Los Angeles, San
Diego, Fresno, San Francisco, and Sacramento until July 1, 2002.  Any
funds appropriated to the California State Library pursuant to this
section, which are not encumbered on or before July 1, 2002, shall
revert to the California Teleconnect Fund Administrative Committee
Fund.