BILL NUMBER: AB 1734	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Committee on Utilities and Commerce (Wright (Chair),
Calderon, Canciamilla, Cardenas, Diaz, Nation, Papan, Reyes, and
Wesson)

                        MARCH 26, 2001

   An act to amend Section 709 of the Public Utilities Code, relating
to telecommunications.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1734, as introduced, Committee on Utilities and Commerce.
Telecommunications services.
   Existing law, the Public Utilities Act, sets forth the findings
and declarations of the Legislature that a policy for
telecommunications in California is to encourage the development and
deployment of new technologies and the equitable provision of
services in a way that efficiently meets consumer need and encourages
the availability of a wide choice of state-of-the-art services.
   This bill, in addition, would refer to encouraging the development
and deployment of the infrastructure needed to support the new
technologies.
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  no.
State-mandated local program:  no.


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


  SECTION 1.  Section 709 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to
read:
   709.  The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the policies
for telecommunications in California are as follows:
   (a) To continue our universal service commitment by assuring the
continued affordability and widespread availability of high-quality
telecommunications service to all Californians.
   (b) To encourage the development and deployment of new
technologies  and the infrastructure required to support them,
 and the equitable provision of services in a way  which
  that  efficiently meets consumer need and
encourages the ubiquitous availability of a wide choice of
state-of-the-art services.
   (c) To promote economic growth, job creation, and the substantial
social benefits that will result from the rapid implementation of
advanced information and communications technologies by adequate
long-term investment in the necessary infrastructure.
   (d) To promote lower prices, broader consumer choice, and
avoidance of anticompetitive conduct.
   (e) To remove the barriers to open and competitive markets and
promote fair product and price competition in a way that encourages
greater efficiency, lower prices, and more consumer choice.