BILL ANALYSIS
Bill No: SB
911
SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Senator Edward Vincent, Chair
2003-2004 Regular Session
Staff Analysis
SB 911 Author: Alpert
As Amended: April 3, 2003
Hearing Date: April 8, 2003
Consultant: Art Terzakis
SUBJECT
Local Emergency Telephone Systems: 911 Administrative Board
DESCRIPTION
SB 911 creates in state government a "911" Administrative
Board comprised of specified members appointed by the
Governor to oversee policy and funding decisions within the
Telecommunications Division of the Department of General
Services (DGS). Specifically, this measure:
1. Establishes a 10-member "911" Administrative Board
appointed by the Governor and comprised of: (a) the Chief
of the 911 Emergency Communications Office (to serve as a
nonvoting Chair of the board); (b) one representative
from the California Highway Patrol; (c) two
representatives each recommended by the California Police
Chief's Association, the California State Sheriff's
Association, the California Fire Chief's Association, and
the California Chapter of the National Emergency Number
Association Executive Board.
2. Details the duration of each member's term; stipulates
that board members shall not receive compensation for
board service, but may be reimbursed for travel and per
diem; requires the board to meet quarterly in public
session in accordance with the state Opening Meeting Act;
and requires the Telecommunications Division of DGS to
provide administrative support to the board.
SB 911 (Alpert) continued
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3. Requires the board, among other things, to: (a)
develop, approve, and implement the policies, practices,
and procedures for the state's 911 Emergency
Communications Office; (b) develop and implement training
standards for county coordinators and Public Safety
Answering Point (PSAP) Managers; and, (c) review and
approve all proposed budget decisions, projects and
studies related to the State Emergency Number Account.
4. In addition, stipulates that the Telecommunications
Division of DGS must obtain board approval in carrying
out its duties.
EXISTING LAW
Existing law, the Warren 911 Emergency Assistance Act,
establishes a "911" emergency telephone program, managed
by the Department of General Services (DGS), to expedite
public safety response to citizen emergencies. As one of
its responsibilities, DGS is required to regularly consult
with a number of state and private entities, including the
State Fire Marshal, the State Department of Health
Services, the Governor's Office of Traffic Safety, the
Office of Emergency Services, the California Council on
Criminal Justice, the public utilities of the state, local
officials, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and others.
Calls to 911 are answered either by the CHP or by local
public safety agencies, and responded to by local
government agencies (e.g., police or sheriff departments).
BACKGROUND
DGS currently maintains a California Emergency Services
Advisory Board (CESAB), composed of a cross section of
public safety agencies, to promote communication between
public policy safety answering points (PSAPs) and the
state's 911 Emergency Communications Office. The CESAB
acts as an advisory body to the 911 Office on a wide
variety of issues and provides input regarding policies,
standards and technical direction. Recommendations of the
CESAB are not binding on the 911 Office. The Office
allocates approximately $140 million in telephone
surcharges to PSAPs.
This measure would create a 10-member 911 Administrative
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Board, appointed by the Governor, comprised of law
enforcement officials, fire safety personnel, and emergency
communication professionals to make policy and funding
decision within the Telecommunications Division of DGS.
Rationale for SB 911: The author notes that the state's
911 Emergency Communications Office recently introduced new
funding formulas resulting in considerable cutbacks for
many public safety agencies. The author emphasizes that
information concerning the rationale for the formulas and
the appeal process were both limited. The author states
that this measure is intended to improve the quality of the
process and ensure that professionals who deliver 911
services are making decisions about the system.
Arguments in Support: Proponents note that the
administrative board created by this measure is based on
other successful models (e. g., Board of Corrections, POST
Commission, etc.) whereby a state agency staffs a board of
professionals that makes policy and funding decisions
within parameters established by the Legislature.
Proponents contend that the current structure for
establishing funding formulas and distributions does not
take into account significant variables that impact the
delivery of 911 services. Proponents claim that this has
placed many 911 call centers on the brink of disaster.
Proponents firmly believe that this measure will help
improve delivery of the 911 systems by addressing such
issues as bidding policies and establishing consistent
procedures regarding equitable reimbursement for all
participating agencies.
SUPPORT: As of April 4, 2003:
California Chapter of the National Emergency Number
Association
California State Sheriff's Association
City of San Diego Police Department
AT&T
OPPOSE: None on file as of April 4, 2003.
DUAL REFERRAL: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications
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FISCAL COMMITTEE: Senate Appropriations Committee
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