BILL NUMBER: AB 1263	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE   JUNE 26, 2000
	AMENDED IN SENATE   JUNE 15, 2000
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   APRIL 7, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Thomson

                        FEBRUARY 26, 1999

   An act to 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.
   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.  Section 2892 of the Public Utilities Code is repealed.

  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  a public safety
answering point other than  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)  
   (1)  The alternate routing is economically and
technologically feasible.  
   (3)  
   (2)  The alternate routing will benefit public safety and
reduce burdens on dispatchers for the Department of the California
Highway Patrol.  
   (4)  
   (3)  The Department of the California Highway Patrol, the
Department of General Services, and the proposed alternate public
safety answering point      , in
consultation with the wireless industry,  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   calls from commercial mobile radio service
telecommunications devices to another public safety  answering
point.