BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1104
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 1104 (Levine)
As Amended August 25, 2005
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |73-0 |(May 9, 2005) |SENATE: |35-1 |September 6, |
| | | | | |2005 |
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Original Committee Reference: U. & C.
SUMMARY : Requires a cable operator or other video service
provider to cease billing a customer for utility service within
seven business days of receiving a request to discontinue
service or by midnight of the last day of service if the
customer provides seven or more business days notice before the
date for the discontinuance of service.
The Senate amendments make technical clarifying changes.
FISCAL EFFECT : None
COMMENTS : This bill sets a minimum standard to ensure that
cable television and video service customers are not billed
after requesting to have their service terminated. This bill
utilizes the existing framework established in the Cable
Television and Video Provider Service and Information Act (Act)
to extend this small, but important consumer protection to all
Californians.
Approximately one year ago the author received information that
customers of a particular cable television operator were being
billed for service months after they requested their service be
disconnected. Data from several local franchising authorities
indicates that this was not an isolated problem. For example,
the Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Commission indicates that over
20% of customer complaints arise from these termination of
service issues. While some local jurisdictions impose unique
termination of service regulations, no statewide standard
exists. This bill creates a statewide standard, while providing
for implementation and enforcement at the local level.
AB 1104
Page 2
Analysis Prepared by : Edward Randolph / U. & C. / (916)
319-2083
FN: 0012783