BILL ANALYSIS 1
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SENATE ENERGY, UTILITIES AND COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
DEBRA BOWEN, CHAIRWOMAN
AB 2283 - Chu Hearing Date: June 22, 2004
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As Amended: May 4, 2004 FISCAL B
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DESCRIPTION
Under current law , the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
has designated "211" as the national abbreviated dialing code to
be used to access non-emergency community information and
information regarding social services. The FCC has delegated
the authority to assign "211" numbers to the states.
This bill :
Requires "211" operators to operate the system consistent with
the FCC and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
rules.
Makes the CPUC responsible for selecting "211" providers.
Authorizes the CPUC to select a lead agency to assist in the
implementation of a "211" dialing system statewide that will
be responsible for planning, implementation and allocation of
funds.
Authorizes the Telecommunications Division of the Department
of General Services to assist in the operation of the 211
system.
This bill designates criteria the CPUC may use in selecting a
lead agency to include:
Geographic diversity of representatives.
Expertise in the information referral industry.
Experience in statewide "211" planning and operations.
Established relationships with California information and
referral providers.
This bill requires the lead entity to allocate federal funds to:
Ensure the state receives the maximize amount of federal funds
possible.
Consider population and poverty rates.
Consider developmental and operations requirements.
Ensure that any fund matching requirement is met.
This bill limits the lead entity to spending no more than 5% of
any state funds for administrative purposes and precludes the
lead entity from being funded by ratepayer surcharges or the
General Fund.
This bill requires that if the CPUC designates a lead entity,
the CPUC shall establish a fund and require separate accounting
for any state or federal funds, and shall require those funds be
spent consistent with federal and state law. An annual fiscal
report is also required.
BACKGROUND
Community information and referral services (I&R) help people
obtain social services such as housing assistance, food
assistance, and help with utility bills. In 2000, the FCC has
designated "211" as the abbreviated telephone number for I&R
referral services. Upon dialing "211," a caller will be routed
to an operator who in turn refers the caller to the appropriate
social services agency in a given county. In 2003, the CPUC
established procedures for implementing "211" dialing and has
since selected "211" service providers in Los Angeles, Alameda,
Contra Costa, Orange, San Francisco, and Ventura counties.
The heart of this bill authorizes the CPUC to designate a single
lead entity to coordinate "211" implementation in the 52
California counties that don't have "211" service and to
disburse federal funds, should they become available.
COMMENTS
1.Lead Entity vs. Service Provider . This measure authorizes the
CPUC to designate a single lead entity to coordinate "211"
implementation in the state's 52 counties that don't have
"211" service. Even if the CPUC selects a lead entity (which
could be a state agency, a private business, or a non-profit
organization), the CPUC would still be the agency charged with
selecting the service provider. The author and committee may
wish to consider whether this potential bifurcation of
authority and responsibility is appropriate or whether it may
lead to confusion or a lack of accountability.
2.Should The Legislature Select The Alpha Dog? As noted above,
this measure authorizes, but doesn't require, the CPUC to
select a lead entity to encourage counties to adopt a "211"
system and to coordinate its implementation. While the CPUC's
experience with "211" to date may very well equip it to make
that decision, it also may be a policy decision the
Legislature is better equipped to make. Given that "211" will
help people get access to a wide variety of social services,
the author and committee may wish to either designate the
state's Health & Human Services Agency as the lead entity or
assign the Agency, not the CPUC, with the responsibility of
selecting the lead entity.
3.Should Private Businesses Or Non-Profits Be The Lead Entity?
Under this measure, the lead entity is responsible for a
variety of planning, reporting, and fiscal tasks, including
the allocation of any federal funding. Under the bill, anyone
can be a lead entity and the lead entity performs its work
independently, without any oversight or accountability. This
raises a number of questions regarding accountability and the
use of public funds. As such, the author and committee may
wish to consider making it clear that the lead entity shall be
a state agency. The state agency could then be empowered to
establish an advisory committee to provide assistance and
counsel in the administration of its duties.
4.What If The Money Runs Out? The program set up by this bill
is based on the premise that the state will receive federal
money to pay for it and specifically bars the use of General
Fund money or money from telephone customers. The author and
committee may wish to consider what happens if the federal
money anticipated to pay for this program doesn't materialize,
or materializes only for one year or so. In the latter
instance, what happens in places where "211" programs are
established and then the funding runs out? How will the
ongoing costs of the program be paid for?
ASSEMBLY VOTES
Assembly Floor (59-18)
Assembly Appropriations Committee (15-5)
Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee
(7-4)
POSITIONS
Sponsor:
California Alliance of Information and Referral Services
Support:
AT&T
California Association of Nonprofits
California Child Care, Resource & Referral Network
California Foundation for Independent Living Centers
Community Technology Alliance
Junior Leagues of California State Public Affairs Committee
Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund
Service Employees International Union
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Union Labor Health Foundation
Oppose:
California Public Utilities Commission
California Department of Finance
Randy Chinn
AB 2283 Analysis
Hearing Date: June 22, 2004