BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1723
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Date of Hearing: May 9, 2001
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Carole Migden, Chairwoman
AB 1723 (Utilities and Commerce Committee) - As Introduced:
March 15, 2001
Policy Committee:
UtilitiesVote:17-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill:
1)Requires the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to implement a
program to provide statewide toll-free access, using a single
toll-free number, to a telephonic reading system for
individuals with print-reading disabilities.
2)Authorizes any state or local government entity or nonprofit
organization doing business in the state to apply to the PUC
to establish and operate a telephonic reading system.
3)Requires the PUC to develop protocols and guidelines for the
system.
FISCAL EFFECT
1)Annual General Fund operating costs in the range of $300,000.
(This estimate is base on the costs of the six existing
systems plus costs of client outreach and staff support.)
2)Annual cost in the range of $250,000 to $500,000 to provide
statewide toll-free access for qualified individuals.
3)The PUC would incur minor costs (less than $100,000) to
develop protocols and implement the program.
COMMENTS
1)Background . Persons who cannot read due to a disability often
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have to forgo timely access to newspapers, magazines, and
other periodicals. Telephonic reading systems, in which the
caller can hear the reading of various printed materials, can
be accessed by using a standard touch-tone telephone. There
are six telephonic reading systems in the state --in San
Francisco, Los Angeles, Fresno, San Diego, and two systems in
Sacramento. Up to 24 users can access each center
simultaneously, but persons calling from outside a center's
calling area (generally a 12-mile radius) cannot utilize the
service without incurring long distance telephone charges.
2)Purpose . This bill would increase the availability to a
telephonic reading service for all qualified residents in the
state by providing statewide toll-free access to a single
system. Individuals eligible to receive the service would be
those who qualify pursuant to federal regulations for loans of
library materials tailored for blind and other physically
handicapped persons. This includes those certified as blind,
persons whose visual disability prevents them from reading
standard printed material, persons unable to use standard
printed material because of physical limitations, persons
certified as having a reading disability, and persons with a
reading disability from an organic dysfunction.
3)Prior Legislation . Last year, AB 2757 (Utilities and Commerce
Committee), which was substantially similar to this bill, was
vetoed by the governor. AB 2757 proposed to fund the program
from the revenues in the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunication
Program (DDTP) fund, which was established to provide
telecommunications devices to the disabled. The governor
indicated concern that implementation of the new program could
negatively affect funding for other important activities
within the DDTP. AB 1723 does not designate any funding
source for the telephonic reading program, thus an
appropriation would be needed to fund the program.
4)Budget-Related Provision . The 2000-01 Budget Act provided
$185,000 within the State Library's budget for local grants to
support telephonic reading systems. Section 5 of AB 1723
states legislative intent that these funds be used to fund the
established reading centers from October 1, 2000 until
September 30, 2001. This language is not practical, however,
since (1) the budget funding is only available for expenditure
until June 30, 2001 unless it is reappropriated and (2) this
bill would not take affect until January 1, 2002-after the
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time period specified in the intent language.
Analysis Prepared by : Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916)319-2081