State Legislative - Week of June 11, 2010

The Conference Committee on the State budget met this week and discussed many of the open issues, mainly social services programs, remaining in the State budget.  The Committee did not discuss tax or other revenue issues. 
Of particular interest in the two budgets is how the corporate income tax and credit issues  and a proposal requiring Internet retailers to report to the state Board of Equalization certain information regarding sales to California residents will be addressed.  
 

 

Creation of the California Broadband Council.  Senator Alex Padilla has significantly amended his Senate Bill 1462 to now create the California Broadband Council which is intended to maximize California’s opportunities for federal funding under the National Broadband Plan, increase coordination of state resources for broadband networks, and ensure continuation of California’s leadership in broadband deployment and adoption.   The membership of this council would include the California Chief Information Officer, The President of the Public Utilities Commission, The Secretary of California Emergency Management, The Superintendent of Public Instruction, The Director of General Services, The Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing, The President of the California Emerging Technology Fund, a member of the Senate and a member of the Assembly.  Each listed member could sit on the Council or select a designee to sit on his or her behalf.   This Council would be charged with meeting no less than three time per year, and the first meeting to take place prior to March 1, 2011.  This bill will be heard in the Assembly Utilities & Commerce Committee on Monday, June 14, 2010.

 

Telecommunications Universal Service Programs: California Advanced Services Fund (CASF). Senator Padilla has also amended his Senate Bill 1040 to extend the CASF program indefinitely, rather than expire 2013, and raise the cap for this fund to from $100 million to $225 million through the collection of the CASF surcharge. The CASF was originally created by the CPUC, using funds from a reduced high cost fund, to provide grants to broadband projects in unserved and underserved areas. The bill also  provides for a CPUC interim and final financial audit, and interim and final performance audit on the implementation and effectiveness of CASF, and a report on interim findings to the Legislature no later than December 31, 2010 and final findings by April 1, 2017.  Senate Bill 1040 will be heard in the Assembly Utilities & Commerce Committee on Monday, June 14, 2010.

 

Moore Universal Telephone Services Act.  Assembly Bill 2213 by Assembly Member Felipe Fuentes would make amendments to the Moore Universal Telephone Service Act, designed to allow alternative technologies, like wireless, to participate in the lifeline program.  Assembly Bill 2213 will be heard in the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee on Tuesday, June 15, 2010.