BILL NUMBER: AB 1263	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Thomson

                        FEBRUARY 26, 1999

   An act to add Section 2892.1 to the Public Utilities Code,
relating to public utilities.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1263, as introduced, Thomson.    Telecommunications:  "911"
calls.
   Existing law requires the Public Utilities Commission to require
that every facilities-based cellular service provider provide access
for end users on its system to the local emergency telephone services
described the Warren-911-Emergency Assistance Act, that they utilize
the "911" code as the primary access number for those services, and
that "911" calls from cellular units be routed to the nearest
appropriate Department of the California Highway Patrol
communications center.
   This bill would state that it is the intent of the Legislature to
create a California Wireless 911 Task Force, consisting of
representatives of the wireless telecommunications industry and state
and local government, as specified.  The bill would state that it is
the intent of the Legislature that the task force review and
recommend improvements to local emergency telephone services for
wireless telecommunications end users, as prescribed.  The bill would
make related legislative findings and declarations.
   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.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Competition in the wireless telecommunications industry has
led to reduced prices, increased service quality, and the significant
growth of wireless telephone usage.
   (b) By the end of 1999, there will be over 7 million wireless
telecommunications customers in this state.  The wireless
telecommunications industry has improved the quality of life for its
customers, has had a significant impact on job creation and economic
growth, and is viewed by law enforcement as an important public
safety tool.
   (c) Access to local emergency telephone systems that use "911" as
the emergency telephone number is important for wireless
telecommunications users and for public safety in this state.  In
1998, over 3 million "911" calls were received from wireless
telecommunications devices by the Department of the California
Highway Patrol, which, by statute, receives all cellular telephone
"911" calls.
   (d) The growth of wireless telecommunications use has burdened
dispatchers for the Department of the California Highway Patrol and
has led to delays in answering and responding to calls.
   (e) Unlike "911" calls on landbased telephone lines, "911" calls
from wireless telecommunications devices do not provide the telephone
number or the location of the caller to the dispatcher.  Wireless
telecommunications service providers and public safety officials are
working on the complex task of implementing these enhancements to the
local emergency telephone systems for wireless telecommunications.
   (f) The cooperation and coordination of wireless
telecommunications service providers, public safety officials, law
enforcement, state agencies, and local governments is crucial to
improving local emergency telephone services for wireless
telecommunications.
  SEC. 2.  Section 2892.1 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to
read:
   2892.1.  (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to create a
California Wireless 911 Task Force, consisting of representatives of
the wireless telecommunications industry, the Department of the
California Highway Patrol, the Department of General Services,
operators of local public safety answering points, and cities and
counties.
   (b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the task force review
and recommend improvements to local emergency telephone services for
wireless telecommunications end users, including any statutory
changes that the task force determines to be necessary to ensure that
the appropriate infrastructure, laws, and regulations are in place
to encourage full and expeditious integration of the local emergency
telephone services for wireless telecommunications end users and the
implementation of federal rules for enhanced "911" services for
wireless telecommunications end users.