BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                          AB 1263
                                                          Page  1

Date of Hearing:   May 12, 1999

              ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS 
                    Carole Migden, Chairwoman

         AB 1263 (Thomson) - As Amended: April 7, 1999 

Policy Committee:                              Utilities and  
Commerce     Vote:                             11-0

Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local  
Program:NoReimbursable:            

  SUMMARY  :

Creates the California Wireless 911 Task Force to recommend  
appropriate statutory changes to local emergency telephone  
services for wireless telecommunications users.  The task force  
would consist of representatives of the telecommunication  
industry, the Highway Patrol, the Department of General  
Services, and operators of local public safety answering points.

  FISCAL EFFECT  :

Absorbable costs to state agencies and local government for task  
force work.

  COMMENTS  :

  Background  .  In 1996, a Wireless 911 Task Force, created by  
Governor Wilson, made numerous findings regarding improvements  
to the wireless 911 system.  Those recommendations included  
public education, efficient call direction, funding, technology,  
non-initialized phones and a national non-emergency telephone  
number.  Since the release of the 1996 Task Force Report,  
progress has been made in implementing  some of the  
recommendations.  Numerous additional issues are still  
outstanding and the Governor's Office has expressed a desire to  
re-establish the 911 Task Force so further improvements can be  
made to California's 911 system, including wireless 911.

  Analysis Prepared by  :    Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916)319-2081