BILL NUMBER: AB 1263 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 15, 2000
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 7, 1999
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Thomson
FEBRUARY 26, 1999
An act to add Section 2892.1 repeal and
add Section 2892 to the Public Utilities Code, relating to
public utilities.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1263, as amended, 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 in a specified provision of 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. Existing law
requires the commission to require that every cellular service
provider include in its tariffs a provision to the effect that there
shall be no airtime or similar usage charge for calls placed from a
cellular unit to the emergency telephone services system.
This bill would require that a provider of commercial mobile radio
service, as defined in specified federal law, provide access for end
users of that service to the local emergency telephone systems
described in the act, that "911" be the primary access number for
those services, and that user validation, as specified, not be
required. The bill would require that a provider of commercial
mobile radio service not charge any airtime, access, or similar usage
charge for any "911" call placed from a commercial mobile radio
service telecommunications device to a local emergency telephone
system. The bill would authorize a "911" call from a commercial
mobile radio service telecommunications device to be routed to a
public safety answering point other than the Department of the
California Highway Patrol only if the alternate routing meets
specified requirements.
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 create the 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: yes.
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
SECTION 1. Section 2892 of the Public Utilities Code is repealed.
2892. The commission shall, by rule or order, require that every
facilities-based cellular service provider provide access for end
users on its system to the local emergency telephone services
described in Section 53100 of the Government Code, that they shall
utilize the "911" code as the primary access number for those
services, and that "911" calls from cellular units shall be routed to
the nearest appropriate California Highway Patrol communications
center. In addition, the commission, by rule or order, shall require
that every cellular service provider include in its tariffs a
provision to the effect that there shall be no airtime or similar
usage charge for calls placed from a cellular unit to the emergency
telephone services system.
SEC. 2. Section 2892 is added to the Public Utilities Code, to
read:
2892. (a) As used in this section, the term "commercial mobile
radio service" has the same meaning as the term "commercial mobile
service," as defined in subsection (d) of Section 332 of Title 47 of
the United States Code.
(b) A provider of commercial mobile radio service shall provide
access for end users of that service to the local emergency telephone
systems described in the Warren-911-Emergency Assistance Act
(Article 6 (commencing with Section 53100) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of
Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code). "911" shall be the
primary access number for those emergency systems. A provider of
commercial mobile radio service, in accordance with all applicable
Federal Communication Commission orders, shall transmit all "911"
calls from technologically compatible commercial mobile radio service
communication devices without requiring user validation or any
similar procedure. A provider of commercial mobile radio service may
not charge any airtime, access, or similar usage charge for any "911"
call placed from a commercial mobile radio service
telecommunications device to a local emergency telephone system.
(c) A "911" call from a commercial mobile radio service
telecommunications device shall be routed to the Department of the
California Highway Patrol only if the alternate routing meets all of
the following requirements:
(1) The "911" call originates from a location other than from a
highway or county road under the jurisdiction of the Department of
the California Highway Patrol.
(2) The alternate routing is economically and technologically
feasible.
(3) The alternate routing will benefit public safety and reduce
burdens on dispatchers for the Department of the California Highway
Patrol.
(4) The Department of the California Highway Patrol, the
Department of General Services, and the proposed alternate public
safety answering point determine that it is in the best interest of
the public and will provide more effective emergency service to the
public to route "911" calls that do not originate from a highway or
county road under the jurisdiction of the Department of the
California Highway Patrol to another public safety answering point.
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 land-based 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) The California Wireless 911 Task Force is hereby
created, 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.