BILL NUMBER: SB 1066	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE   APRIL 5, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Bowen

                        FEBRUARY 26, 1999

    An act to add Chapter 9.5 (commencing with Section 2860)
to Part 2 of Division 1 of the Public Utilities Code, relating to the
Internet.    An act relating to telecommunications.




	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1066, as amended, Bowen.   The Internet  
Telecommunications  .
   Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission is vested with
regulatory authority over the public utilities, including telephone
corporations.  Existing law sets forth legislative findings and
declarations regarding telecommunications policies for California.
   This bill would make legislative findings and declarations
 regarding the use of the Internet, as defined  
relating to telecommunications  .
   Vote:  majority.  Appropriation:  no.  Fiscal committee:  no.
State-mandated local program:  no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  
  SECTION 1.  Chapter 9.5 (commencing with Section  
  SECTION 1.  The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Both California policy and federal policy have encouraged the
rapid deployment of advanced telecommunications services and
capabilities to all citizens, institutions, and businesses.
   (b) High-speed connections between the telecommunications network
and end users are critical for consumer acceptance of important new
telecommunications services, including electronic commerce,
telemedicine, distance learning, telecommuting, video telephony, and
television.
   (c) California's consumers, businesses, and institutions will
benefit significantly from expanded competition and enhanced
availability of high-speed services provided over communications
networks.
   (d) Competition in providing high-speed services can be expanded,
thereby lowering prices and increasing availability, if existing
telephone service providers are required to permit competitors to
share in the use of existing telephone lines, known as line sharing
   (e) In March 1999, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
tentatively concluded that line sharing is technically feasible.  The
FCC further tentatively concluded that nothing prevents California
from requiring line sharing.  The FCC cited an example where Pacific
Bell is today sharing the use of its telephone lines.  While
operational issues have yet to be resolved, the FCC appears to be
supportive of line sharing.
   (f) Therefore, pending the FCC's resolution of the technical and
operational issues, it is the intent of the Legislature that the
California Public Utilities Commission open a proceeding to determine
how best to implement line sharing.   2860) is added to
Part 2 of Division 1 of the Public Utilities Code, to read:

      CHAPTER 9.5.  THE INTERNET

   2860.  (a) For the purpose of this chapter, "the Internet" means
the global information system that is logically linked together by a
globally unique address space based on the Internet Protocol (IP), or
its subsequent extensions; and is able to support communications
using the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
suite, or its subsequent extensions, or other IP-compatible
protocols; and provides, uses, or makes accessible, either publicly
or privately, high-level services layered on the communications and
related infrastructure described in this subdivision.
   (b) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
   (1) The Internet is a new form of communication that provides
greatly expanded opportunities for interaction, education, commerce,
and networking.
   (2) While the use of the Internet is growing rapidly, growth will
be constrained by limitations on the speed with which the Internet
can transmit information, the availability of appropriate computer
equipment to businesses, individuals, and institutions, knowledge of
the hardware and software necessary to use the Internet, and an
awareness of the benefits of the Internet.
   (3) Given the benefits of the Internet, it is appropriate for the
state to encourage the use of the Internet by the people, businesses,
and institutions of the state.