BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1723
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Date of Hearing: April 23, 2001
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON UTILITIES AND COMMERCE
Roderick D. Wright, Chair
AB 1723 (Utilities & Commerce) - As Introduced: March 15, 2001
SUBJECT : Public utilities: telephonic reading systems.
SUMMARY : This bill would require the California Public
Utilities Commission (CPUC) to design and implement a program,
on or before July 1, 2002, to provide toll-free access
throughout California to telephonic reading systems for citizens
with print disabilities. Specifically, this bill :
1)Authorizes any agency, instrumentality or political
subdivision of the state or any non-profit organization in the
state to apply to CPUC for funding to establish and operate a
new telephonic reading system, and for reimbursement of
certain operational costs.
2)Appropriates $185,000 in the Budget Act of 2000 to the
California State Library for public library projects to be
used to fund operations of a telephonic reading center in each
of specified cities.
EXISTING LAW :
Requires CPUC to establish a rate recovery mechanism through a
surcharge on intrastate telephone service to recover the costs
for providing telecommunications devices capable of serving the
needs of deaf, hearing impaired, and disabled.
Establishes the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program
Administrative Committee to advise CPUC regarding development,
implementation, and administration of these programs and the
Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program Administrative
Committee Fund as a repository for the funds collected by the
surcharge.
FISCAL EFFECT : $185,000 of a sum in the Budget Act of 2000
appropriated to the California State Library shall be used to
fund operations of a telephonic reading center in each of
specified cities.
COMMENTS :
AB 1723
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In addition to the existing programs currently provided under
the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program Administrative
Committee (DDTPAC), this bill would add programs to assist print
disabled individuals under those programs for which DDTPAC
advises CPUC. In addition to the programs funded through DDTP
surcharge, this measure would add a separate program funded
through a $185,000 allocation within the state library budget,
to provide toll-free access to telephonic reading systems for
citizens with print disabilities.
Each telephonic reading system provided allows access with the
use of individual passwords issued only to persons who are
eligible under the criteria established by the National Library
Service for blind and physically handicapped pursuant to federal
regulations. The systems are available through public libraries
in specified cities whereby the caller can access reading
material such as newspapers, magazines, newsletters, broadcast
media schedules, transit route and schedule information and
other reference materials.
DDTPAC shall review the guidelines and administration of
existing telephonic reading systems in the state and issue
recommendations to CPUC relating to the establishment of new
protocols and guidelines. These shall include
cost-effectiveness of supporting certain specific centers and
the value of the services to Californians. CPUC shall have no
liability for the content of information and shall have full
control over the level of funding of the telephonic reading
system, including cost control measures.
Staff recommends:
Legislative Counsel issued a conflict notice with regard to AB
1723, indicating it might have serious conflicts with AB 219
(Wright), which continues funding for DDTP surcharge. The
authors may wish to clarify that funding for the telephonic
reading systems program comes from a budget appropriation
specific to libraries and not from any surcharge funds subject
to the DDTPAC. The authors may also wish to clarify that
administrative funds, as necessary for the DDTPAC oversight and
recommendations regarding telephonic reading systems shall also
come from the $185,000 library appropriation specific to this
program.
AB 1723
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REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
California Optometric Association
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Kelly Boyd / U. & C. / (916) 319-2083