BILL NUMBER: SB 720	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Bowen

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2003

   An act to amend Section 884 of the Public Utilities Code, relating
to telecommunications.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 720, as introduced, Bowen.  Telecommunications services.
   Existing law declares the Legislature's policies for
telecommunications in California. Existing law states the intent of
the Legislature that the Public Utilities Commission should provide a
nonprofit community technology program, as defined, with discounts
comparable to those that are provided to schools and libraries to
address inequality of access to advanced telecommunications services.

   This bill would state the intent of the Legislature that the
commission provide a nonprofit community technology program, as
defined, with discounts comparable to those that are provided to
schools and libraries to address inequality of access to advanced
telecommunications services.
   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 884 of the Public Utilities Code is amended to
read:
   884.  (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that any program
administered by the commission that addresses the inequality of
access to advanced telecommunications services by providing those
services to schools and libraries at a discounted price 
should also  provide comparable discounts to a nonprofit
community technology program.
   (b) For the purpose of this section, "nonprofit community
technology program" means a community-based nonprofit organization
that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code and engages in diffusing technology into local
communities and training local communities that have no access to, or
have limited access to, the Internet and other technologies.