BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2757
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 2757 (Utilities Committee)
As Amended April 11, 2000
Majority vote
UTILITIES AND COMMERCE 9-0 APPROPRIATIONS 21-0
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|Ayes:|Wright, Pescetti, |Ayes:|Migden, Campbell, |
| |Cardenas, Frusetta, | |Ackerman, Alquist, |
| |Maddox, Mazzoni, Papan, | |Aroner, Ashburn, Brewer, |
| |Reyes, Wesson | |Cedillo, Corbett, Davis, |
| | | |Kuehl, Maldonado, Papan, |
| | | |Romero, Runner, Shelley, |
| | | |Thomson, Wesson, Wiggins, |
| | | |Wright, Zettel |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
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SUMMARY: Requires the California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC) to establish and implement a toll-free number to access
telephonic reading systems for individuals with print
disabilities, and authorizes specified entities to apply to CPUC
for funds to establish and operate new telephonic reading
systems. Specifically, this bill :
1)Expands the scope of the advisory functions of the Deaf and
Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) Administrative
Committee to encompass programs for people who are print
disabled.
2)Directs CPUC to design and implement a program to provide
toll-free access to telephonic reading systems for California
residents with print disabilities by July 1, 2001, using a
single toll-free number and authorizes specified entities to
apply to CPUC for funding to establish a new telephonic
reading system.
3)Defines a telephonic reading system to be a system where a
caller can hear print material such as newspapers, magazines,
newsletters, broadcast media schedules, and other time
sensitive materials read to them which are operated by either
divisions of the state of California or nonprofit
organizations.
AB 2757
Page 2
4)Limits expenditures to fund the program to 20% of the maximum
funds collected by the DDTP Administrative Committee Fund
(DDTP Fund).
5)Requires CPUC to reimburse any authorized operational expenses
that telephonic reading systems may occur after January 1,
2001, and make retroactive payments to a system after the
implementation of the measure. Makes various findings and
declarations regarding the telephonic reading system and cites
the legislation as the Kevin Starr Access to Information Act
of 2000.
EXISTING LAW : Requires CPUC to establish a rate recovery
mechanism through a surcharge on intrastate telephone service to
recover the costs for providing telecommunications devices
capable of serving the needs of the deaf, hearing impaired and
disabled, known as DDTP Fund.
Establishes the DDTP Administrative Committee to advise CPUC
regarding the development, implementation, and administrations
of these programs, and the DDTP Fund as repository for the funds
collected by the surcharge.
FISCAL EFFECT : CPUC estimates special fund costs for two staff
positions of $82,462 during the first year and $140,924 annually
thereafter. CPUC would incur special fund costs of about
$100,000 to develop protocols and to implement the program.
Equipment start-up costs (special fund) are estimated at
$70,000, and annual operating costs (special fund) are estimated
at $60,000 for each operator of a system. The total number of
system operators is unknown, but annual costs for the six
existing systems would be over $300,000.
COMMENTS : Persons who cannot read print due to a disability
often have to forgo timely access to newspapers, magazines, and
other periodicals. Telephonic reading systems, in which the
caller can hear the reading of various printed materials, can be
accessed by using a standard touch-tone telephone.
Within the state, there are six telephonic reading systems.
Persons calling from outside the calling area of the site's
location (local calling areas are generally limited to a radius
of approximately 12 miles) cannot use the service without
incurring long distance telephone charges. This has resulted in
AB 2757
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a significant underusage of the program by the print disabled in
this state.
Access to the system is restricted to individuals who qualify
under federal regulations. The California State Library
estimates the total California client base is 47,819, and is
made up of approximately 77% blind or visually impaired (i.e.,
36,711), 13% who are learning disabled (i.e., 6,434), 6% who
cannot manipulate print due to a physical disability (i.e.,
2,794), and the rest not reporting a disability.
DDTP was established by the Legislature [SB 1782 (Rains),
Chapter 454, Statutes of 1982] to provide telecommunications
devices to the disabled. DDTP currently funds three programs
for deaf, hearing impaired, and disabled people. The ceiling
for DDTP surcharge is set by statute at 0.5%. For 2000, CPUC is
assessing the surcharge at 0.28%, less than the authorized
amount, for a total budget of $57.4 million. This bill will not
increase the statutory cap.
This bill gives CPUC latitude in establishing the program for
toll-free access, as well as standards for telephonic reading
systems across the state. Additionally, this bill allows for
retroactive payments for operational expenses after the
implementation of the program. These provisions were included
in this bill because the funding for five of the sites ends as
of September 30, 2000, so they can continue operations between
October 1, 2000, and the date CPUC implements the program.
Analysis Prepared by : Jonathan Buttle / U. & C. / (916)
319-2083
FN:
0004822