BILL NUMBER: SB 1858	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  MARCH 25, 2004

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Dunn

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2004

   An act  to add Section 451.5 to the Public Utilities Code,
 relating to the statewide emergency telephone system.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1858, as amended, Dunn.   Statewide  
Telephone corporations:  statewide  emergency telephone system.
   Existing law generally sets forth the criteria governing the
statewide "911" emergency telephone system.   The existing
Emergency Telephone Users Surcharge Act generally imposes a surcharge
on amounts paid by every person in the state for intrastate
telephone service to fund "911" emergency telephone system costs.
Surcharge amounts are paid to the State Board of Equalization by the
telephone service supplier, and are deposited into the State Treasury
to the credit of the State Emergency Telephone Number Account in the
General Fund, for appropriation by the Legislature solely for
certain purposes associated with the "911" emergency telephone number
system, including the payment of bills submitted by service
suppliers for the installation of, and ongoing expenses for, that
system.
   Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory
authority over public utilities, including telephone corporations,
and authorizes the commission to fix just and reasonable rates and
charges, and requires that all charges demanded or received by any
public utility for any product or commodity furnished or any service
rendered by just and reasonable. 
   This bill would  state the intent of the Legislature to
enact legislation to improve that system   require the
commission to ensure that all funds paid to a telephone corporation
from the State Emergency Telephone Number Account, are reflective of
charges that are just and reasonable  .
   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.  It is the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation to improve the statewide "911" emergency telephone
system.  
  SECTION 1.  Section 451.5 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to
read:
   451.5.  The commission shall ensure that all funds paid to a
telephone corporation from the State Emergency Telephone Number
Account pursuant to the Emergency Telephone Users Surcharge Act (Part
20 (commencing with Section 41001) of Division 2 of the Revenue and
Taxation Code), are reflective of charges that are just and
reasonable.