BILL ANALYSIS
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THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 2283
Author: Chu (D), et al
Amended: 8/17/04 in Senate
Vote: 21
SENATE ENERGY, UTIL. & COMM. COMMITTEE : 6-3, 6/22/04
AYES: Bowen, Alarcon, Dunn, Murray, Sher, Vasconcellos
NOES: Morrow, Battin, McClintock
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : 8-4, 8/12/04
AYES: Alpert, Bowen, Burton, Escutia, Karnette, Machado,
Murray, Speier
NOES: Battin, Aanestad, Johnson, Poochigian
NO VOTE RECORDED: Ashburn
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : 59-18, 5/25/04 - See last page for vote
SUBJECT : 211 telephone number system
SOURCE : California Alliance of Information and Referral
Services
DIGEST : This bill creates a process for implementing the
211 system for non-emergency community information and
social services referral services, and designates the
Health and Human Services Agency as lead agency.
ANALYSIS : 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
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services. The FCC has delegated the authority to assign
"211" numbers to the states.
Last year, the State Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
established procedures for implementing "211" for
non-emergency services, and selected service providers in
five counties. A caller who dials "211" is routed to an
operator who in turn refers the caller to the appropriate
social service agency in a given county.
This bill, among other things:
1. Designates the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA)
as the lead entity responsible for developing a plan for
the implementation of "211" services throughout the
state.
2. Authorizes the HHSA to delegate responsibilities to
another entity (which could be another state agency, or
a private or nonprofit entity).
3. Requires the HHSA to establish a "211" advisory
committee to assist in the development of a grant
program to allocate state and federal funds (members are
not compensated).
4. Limits administrative costs to not more than five
percent of any state funds made available.
5. Requires the PUC to evaluate and authorize requests for
the use of a 211 numbers, and authorizes the PUC to work
with providers, carriers, and local public agencies in
improving the operation of, and access to, a 211 system.
6. Authorizes all state agencies to provide assistance in
implementing the provisions of this bill, including
promoting the use of the 211 system.
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
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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 PUC 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.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
The bill is intended to position California to receive
federal funds, should they become available, but does not
preclude the use of state funds for 211 implementation.
Pending federal legislation appropriates $200 million in
matching funds to the states. If California received $4
million in federal funds, there would be General Fund cost
pressure to meet the match. To the extent that the 211
system eliminates the need for other state-sponsored "800"
telephone numbers, there could be some offsetting cost
savings. The bill may also result in unknown cost
pressures for the PUC and state agencies to provide 211
assistance.
SUPPORT : (Verified 8/18/04)
California Alliance of Information and Referral Services
(source)
2-1-1 San Diego Coalition
AT&T
Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency
Area Agency on Aging
California Association of Nonprofits
California Child Care, Resource & Referral Network
California Foundation for Independent Living Centers
California Medical Association
California Nurses Association
Community Health Improvement Partners
Community Services Planning Council
Community Technology Alliance
County of San Diego
Eden I&R, Inc.
El Dorado County Department of Human Services / AAA
First 5 Riverside, Riverside County Children & Families
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Commission
First Five Sacramento Commission
HCAR
HOMES, Inc.
Housing and Community Services Department, Office on Aging,
Orange County
Humboldt Area Foundation
Humboldt Community Switchboard
Info Line of San Diego County
Info Link Orange County
Interface Children Family Services
Junior Leagues of California State Public Affairs Committee
Junior League of Pasadena
Junior League of San Diego
Melvin F.& Grace McLean Foundation
Mental Health Association in San Diego County
Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund
Mother Lode Workforce Investment Board
Northern California Council for the Community
Orange County Department of Education
Orange County United Way
Reach Out
Redwood Community Action Agency
Resource Center for Nonprofit Management
San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter of the American Red
Cross
San Diego Employers Association, Inc.
Service Employees International Union
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Union Labor of Health Foundation
United Way of the Bay Area
United Way of Fresno
United Way of Humboldt
The United Way, San Diego County
The United Way of Silicon Valley
Volunteer Center, Orange County
Volunteer Center of Riverside County
OPPOSITION : (Verified 8/18/04)
State Department of Finance
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ASSEMBLY FLOOR :
AYES: Bates, Benoit, Berg, Bermudez, Calderon,
Canciamilla, Chan, Chavez, Chu, Cohn, Corbett, Cox, Diaz,
Dutra, Dutton, Dymally, Firebaugh, Frommer, Garcia,
Goldberg, Hancock, Harman, Jerome Horton, Shirley Horton,
Jackson, Kehoe, Koretz, Laird, Leno, Levine, Lieber, Liu,
Longville, Lowenthal, Maldonado, Matthews, Maze,
Montanez, Mullin, Nakanishi, Nakano, Nation, Negrete
McLeod, Oropeza, Parra, Pavley, Reyes, Richman,
Ridley-Thomas, Salinas, Simitian, Steinberg, Strickland,
Vargas, Wesson, Wiggins, Wolk, Yee, Nunez
NOES: Aghazarian, Bogh, Campbell, Correa, Daucher, Haynes,
Houston, Keene, La Malfa, La Suer, Leslie, Maddox,
Mountjoy, Pacheco, Plescia, Samuelian, Spitzer, Wyland
NO VOTE RECORDED: Cogdill, McCarthy, Runner
NC:mel 8/18/04 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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