BILL NUMBER:  AB 1814
  VETOED	DATE: 09/30/2002




SEP 30 2002

To the Members of the Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 1814 without my signature.

While well intended, AB 1814 does not define key terms and unfairly
burdens Internet Service Providers (ISPs) by requiring them to give a
30-day notice before any termination or transfer of service.

I have already signed Senate Bill 772 (Bowen) which requires
electronic mail service providers to give at least 30 days notice
before permanently terminating a customer's e-mail address.  SB 772
is narrower in scope and addresses the main problem that consumers
and businesses face-permanent disruption of e-mail service without a
legitimate reason. AB 1814, on the other hand, does not allow for
circumstances where ISP service may be temporarily disrupted due to
circumstances not within an ISP's control nor does it contain a
definition of the term "without cause."  Without a clear definition
of this term, ISPs may not have the option of appropriately
terminating service when a customer abuses the service by conducting
illegal activities or fails to pay for the service.

Disruption of Internet service can be especially harmful to
individual consumers and small businesses. I would be willing to
consider a measure next year that ensures that they receive prior
notice of termination provided that the bill also gives ISPs, in the
same manner that SB 772 does, the option of terminating service if a
customer abuses the service by conducting illegal activities or fails
to pay for the service.

Sincerely,



GRAY DAVIS