BILL NUMBER: SB 983	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE   APRIL 5, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Bowen

                        FEBRUARY 26, 1999

   An act to  amend   repeal and add 
Section 2892 of the Public Utilities Code, relating to
telecommunications.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 983, as amended, Bowen.  Telecommunications:  commercial mobile
radio service:  emergency 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 California Highway Patrol
communications center. 
   This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change in those
provisions.  
   This bill would repeal the above provisions and instead 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 or any similar procedure 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 require a "911" call from a commercial mobile radio
service telecommunications device to be routed to the Department of
the California Highway Patrol. 
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  
no   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 

  SECTION 1.  Section 2892 of the Public Utilities Code is repealed.
 
   2892.  The commission shall, by rule or order, require that every
facilities-based cellular service provider provide access for end
users on its system to the local emergency telephone services
described in Section 53100 of the Government Code, that they shall
utilize the "911" code as the primary access number for those
services, and that "911" calls from cellular units shall be routed to
the nearest appropriate California Highway Patrol communications
center.  In addition, the commission, by rule or order, shall 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.   
  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
shall 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 the Department of the
California Highway Patrol.    is amended to read:
   2892.  The commission shall, by rule or order, require that every
facilities-based cellular service provider provide access for end
users on its system to the local emergency telephone services
described in Section 53100 of the Government Code, that they shall
utilize the "911" code as the primary access number for those
services, and that "911" calls from cellular units shall be routed to
the nearest appropriate Department of the California Highway Patrol
communications center.  In addition, the commission, by rule or
order, shall 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.