State Legislative - Week of April 1, 2010

Telecommunications.  AB 2737 (Block) would authorize the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to designate a lead entity for the implementation of a statewide “211” abbreviated telephone dialing system to provide information and referral services.  This bill provides liability protection to 211 information and referral services providers.  CCTA is seeking an amendment simply adding “or any entity that routes 211 calls” to include our members in the liability protection of this bill.  AB 2737 is scheduled to be heard on April 5, 2010 in the Assembly Utilities & Commerce Committee. 

 

Moore Universal Telephone Services Act.  As introduced, AB 2213 (Fuentes) made non-substantive changes to the Moore Universal Telephone Services Act which provides discounted basic local landline telephone service  to eligible California households.  The Author is working on amendments that would expand this program to include VoIP and wireless telephone service.  Currently AB 2213 is scheduled to be heard on April 5, 2010 in the Assembly Utilities & Commerce Committee but CCTA and others have asked the Author to pull this bill from Monday’s calendar so that all parties can have time to review the new amendments. 

 

California Advanced Services Fund.  SB 1040 (Padilla) would extend the California Advanced Services Fund end date from the current 01/01/2013 to 01/01/2018, and would also raise the maximum amount collected from $100 million to $125 million.  This bill would also require the PUC to conduct interim and final financial audits and conduct performance-based audits.  Additional, new accounts within the fund would be created.  This bill will be heard on Tuesday, April 6th in the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications.