BILL ANALYSIS
SB 210
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Date of Hearing: June 13, 2005
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON UTILITIES AND COMMERCE
Lloyd E. Levine, Chair
SB 210 (Bowen) - As Amended: March 14, 2005
SENATE VOTE : 36-1
SUBJECT : Telecommunications: telephone corporations:
surcharge.
SUMMARY : Extends the sunset from 2006 to 2010 on the
California Public Utilities Commission's (PUC) authority to fund
the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP).
EXISTING LAW :
1)Requires the PUC to design and implement a program to provide
a telecommunication device capable of serving the needs of
individuals and organizations who are certified as either
representing or being deaf or hearing impaired at no charge
beyond the basic exchange rate.
2)Requires the PUC to design and implement a program to provide
a dual party relay system, using third party intervention to
connect individuals who are deaf or hearing impaired with
offices of organizations that represent individuals who are
deaf or hearing impaired.
3)Requires the PUC to establish a surcharge not to exceed one
half of one percent to pay for providers of equipment and
services. The PUC surcharge authority sunsets on January 1,
2006.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown.
COMMENTS : The purpose of this bill is to allow a successful
program that assures that the deaf and disabled have access to
suitable telecommunications equipment does not terminate in 2006
when the PUC's statutory authority to fund the programs expires.
Brief history: Since the 1980's, the PUC has administered
programs that assist the deaf and disabled in using telephone
service. The programs are collectively known as the DDTP. The
SB 210
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programs provide specialized telecommunications equipment,
discounted telephone rates, and a telecommunications translator
service, known as a dual-party relay service, through which the
deaf can communicate with others.
Currently, an estimated 400,000 to 450,000 people use equipment
provided under the DDTP. In the six months between July 2004 and
December 2004, the DDTP connected 2.6 million calls through the
California Relay Service.
The following are descriptions of each of the DDTP programs:
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|Telecommunications|This program provides for the distribution of |
| Devices for the |telecommunications devices for the deaf |
|Deaf |(TDDs) to certified deaf and hearing impaired |
| |telephone subscribers, to any school or |
| |organization representing the deaf or hearing |
| |impaired and state agencies having |
| |significant contact with the public. |
|------------------+----------------------------------------------|
|California Relay |This program provides the deaf and hearing |
|Service |impaired with direct access to California's |
| |public switched telephone network. The |
| |California Relay Service (CRS) uses third |
| |party intervention to provide 24 hour contact |
| |with any other telephone subscriber. |
|------------------+----------------------------------------------|
|Supplemental |This program provides specialized |
|Telecommunications|telecommunications equipment to consumers |
| Devices for the |with hearing, vision, mobility, speech and |
|Disabled |cognitive disabilities. Examples of this |
| |equipment are amplifying devices, telephone |
| |ringer signals, speakerphones and cordless |
| |phones. |
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Funding for the programs : While current law authorizes the PUC
to establish a ratepayer surcharge of up to one-half of one
percent (0.50%) on all intrastate telephone service to fund the
DDTP programs, the PUC has set the surcharge at .30%. The PUC's
authority to collect this charge expires on January 1, 2006.
This bill extends the PUC's authority to collect the funds
necessary to administer the DDTP program until 2010.
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The need to extend the program: Continuation of the DDTP
surcharge through 2010 will allow deaf, hearing impaired and
other disabled individuals to continue to have affordable access
to basic telephone service. The existing cap of one half of one
percent would remain in effect for the duration of the extension
of the surcharge.
RELATED LEGISLATION :
AB 1735 (Committee on Utilities and Commerce) also extends the
sunset until January 1, 2010. The bill passed this committee on
April 11, 2005 on a 10-0 vote.
AB 219 (Committee on Utilities and Commerce), Chapter 109,
statues of 2001, was substantially similar to SB 210, as it also
extended the sunset another 4 years. AB 219 was approved by
this committee on a 15-0 vote in 2001.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
California Council of the Blind
California Coalition of Agencies Serving the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing.
Verizon
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Edward Randolph / U. & C. / (916)
319-2083