BILL ANALYSIS
SB 669
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
SB 669 (Polanco)
As Amended August 30, 1999
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE : 37-1
UTILITIES AND COMMERCE 11-0
APPROPRIATIONS 21-0
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|Ayes:|Wright, Pescetti, |Ayes:|Migden, Brewer, Ackerman, |
| |Calderon, Campbell, | |Ashburn, Campbell, |
| |Cardenas, Frusetta, | |Cedillo, Davis, |
| |Maddox, Mazzoni, Papan, | |Hertzberg, Kuehl, |
| |Reyes, Wesson | |Maldonado, Papan, Romero, |
| | | |Runner, Keeley, |
| | | |Steinberg, Thomson, |
| | | |Wesson, Wiggins, Wright, |
| | | |Zettel, Aroner |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Requires the Department of General Services (DGS) to
consult with city and county officials to accomplish its
responsibilities with respect to 911 telephone service, and
codifies the advisory boards for six telecommunications programs
administered by the California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC). Specifically, this bill :
1)Adds a representative from a city and from a county to the
list of entities DGS must regularly consult when considering
the state's 911 emergency response service.
2)Creates six advisory boards to advise CPUC regarding the
implementation, development, and administration of specified
programs:
a) The California High-Cost Fund-A Administrative Committee
and Fund, designed to keep rates for rural telephone
companies low;
b) The California High-Cost Fund-B Administrative Committee
and Fund, designed to keep rates for rural customers low;
c) The Universal Lifeline Telephone Service Trust
SB 669
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Administrative Committee and Fund, designed to provide
low-cost telephone service to low-income households;
d) The Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program
Administrative Committee and Fund, designed to provide
discounted telephone service and equipment to the deaf and
disabled;
e) The Payphone Service Providers Committee and Fund,
designed to provide consumer protection to pay telephone
customers; and,
f) The California Teleconnect Fund Administrative Committee
and Fund, designed to fund advanced communications services
for schools, libraries, and community organizations.
3)Requires CPUC to determine the number and qualifications of
the members of each advisory board, and prescribes certain
matters of organization and procedure for each advisory board.
4)Requires each board to submit an annual budget to CPUC for
approval and a report describing the activities of the board.
5)Creates a fund in the State Treasury for each advisory board.
6)Requires CPUC on or before July 1, 2000, to report to the
Governor and the Legislature regarding a transition plan
designed to protect the efficiency and effectiveness of
programs associated with those funds.
7)Specifies that all revenues collected by telephone
corporations to fund these programs shall be submitted to CPUC
pursuant to a schedule established by CPUC. These moneys
would be transferred to the State Controller for deposit in
the appropriate fund.
8)Requires CPUC to conduct financial audits of the revenues for
each of the funds, and to conduct compliance audits of each
program.
EXISTING LAW directs the Communications Division of DGS to
consult regularly with specified agencies, officials, and
entities to accomplish its responsibilities with respect to the
establishment by local agencies of 911 telephone service.
Provides for various programs relating to telephone corporations
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to be administered by CPUC, and paid for in the utility rates
authorized by CPUC. These programs include low-income ratepayer
assistance, energy efficiency, and telephone service for deaf
and disabled individuals.
FISCAL EFFECT : CPUC estimates special fund costs of about
$200,000 in 1999-2000 and $400,000 annually thereafter to
administer the programs.
COMMENTS : Existing law requires DGS to consult regularly with
various agencies, officials, and entities regarding the
establishment by local agencies of 911 emergency response
service. The list of those to be consulted includes the State
Fire Marshall, the Department of Health Services, the Office of
Traffic Safety, the Office of Emergency Services, the Council on
Criminal Justice, and telecommunications providers. This bill
adds representatives of a city or of a county to the list of
entities to be consulted by DGS. According to the author,
cities and counties play a critical role in maintaining an
effective 911 emergency response program and therefore should be
involved in discussions on ways to fulfill the state's
responsibility to provide emergency services.
This bill codifies the advisory boards for each of six programs
relating to telephone corporations and creates special accounts
in the state treasury to hold the program funds in trust. The
Department of Finance and Attorney General's Office have
informally expressed their preference that the funding for these
programs be kept with the state and that the advisory boards be
codified. The six telecommunications advisory boards created by
this bill advise CPUC regarding the implementation, development,
and administration of these programs, and carry out the programs
subject to CPUC's direction, control, and approval.
Analysis Prepared by : Joseph Lyons / U. & C. / (916) 319-2083
FN: 0002933