BILL ANALYSIS
SB 1903
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SB 1903 (O'Connell)
As Amended June 19, 2002
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE :24-14
UTILITIES AND COMMERCE 10-6
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|Ayes:|Wright, Calderon, | | |
| |Canciamilla, Cardenas, | | |
| |Diaz, Horton, Nation, | | |
| |Papan, Reyes, Simitian | | |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Pescetti, Bill Campbell, | | |
| |John Campbell, Kelley, La | | |
| |Suer, Maddox | | |
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SUMMARY : Requires mobile radio service providers to give
customers a way to obtain current information on their calling
plans and usage. Specifically, this bill requires:
1)A cellular provider to provide subscribers no later than
January 1, 2004, with a means by which a subscriber can obtain
reasonably current and available information, as determined by
the carrier, on the subscriber's calling plan or plans and
service usage.
2)Carriers to inform subscribers of the availability of this
information, and how it may be obtained, at the time service
is established.
EXISTING LAW requires any person, corporation, or billing agent
that charges subscribers for products or services on a telephone
bill to, among other things, include in the telephone bill the
amount being charged for each product or service, including any
taxes or charges, and a clear and concise description of the
service or product.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : The author notes that this bill seeks to remedy a
SB 1903
Page 2
deficiency in current law, which does not require cellular
companies to provide information to their customers so that they
are able to monitor their minutes of call time. The author
recently amended this bill, in an effort to compromise with the
opposition, by removing the requirement that the California
Public Utilities Commission shall adopt regulations, as it
determines to be necessary, that may modify or exceed the
requirements of this bill.
Opponents still asserts that this bill would affect the rate
which the customer is charged for such services. The opposition
also states that the competitive wireless industry is working as
is and this bill is not necessary. Sprint states that it
"currently provides its PCS customers with this information"
through a variety of channels such as "the customer hand-set,
Sprint web site, and more traditional customer care channels"
and that this bill "only invites intrusion into Sprint's
customer relations."
The Office of Ratepayer Advocates supports this bill stating
that "not every wireless carrier offers a way for subscribers to
monitor their call time minutes."
Analysis Prepared by : Angela Haywood / U. & C. / (916)
319-2083
FN: 0005614