BILL NUMBER: AB 1263 AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN SENATE JULY 6, 2000 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 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 wouldauthorizeprovide that a "911" call from a commercial mobile radio service telecommunications devicetomay 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 Section 2892 of the Public Utilities Code is repealed.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 deviceshallmay 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.(1)(2) The alternate routing is economically and technologically feasible.(2)(3) The alternate routing will benefit public safety and reduce burdens on dispatchers for the Department of the California Highway Patrol.(3)(4) 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 safetycalls from commercial mobile radio service telecommunications devices to another public safetyanswering point.