California 2009-2010 Regular Session Status: In Committee

AB 1528 — Telecommunications: lifeline service rates.

Last action — From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Assembly
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2009-2010 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including telephone corporations, as defined. Existing law authorizes the commission to fix the rates and charges for every public utility, and requires that those rates and charges be just and reasonable. The Moore Universal Telephone Service Act established the Universal Lifeline Telephone Service program in order to provide low-income households with access to affordable basic residential telephone service. Lifeline service rates are required to be set at no more than 50% of either the basic rate for measured service or the basic flat rate service, as applicable, exclusive of federally mandated end user access charges that are available to the residential subscriber. This bill would prohibit the commission from authorizing a telephone corporation to increase rates or charges for local exchange services provided to lifeline telephone service subscribers above those in effect on January 1, 2009, except that rates and charges for local exchange services provided to lifeline telephone service subscribers may be increased in an amount no greater than the maximum annual cost-of-living percentage increase established for the CalWORKs program. The bill would prohibit the commission from authorizing telecommunications carriers using alternative technologies to traditional landline service, including mobile telephony service providers and carriers offering telecommunication using Voice over Internet Protocol, to provide lifeline service only if the commission finds that there will be no reduction in service quality or service capabilities for lifeline service subscribers than those in effect on January 1, 2009, resulting from use of the alternative technologies.

Bill Text

Action History

  1. From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  4. In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.

  5. Re-referred to Com. on U. & C.

  6. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on U. & C. Read second time and amended.

  7. Referred to Com. on U. & C.

  8. Read first time.

  9. From printer. May be heard in committee March 30.

  10. Introduced. To print.

Sponsors

  • Ruskin · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 121 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Ruskin

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (121)

121 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

public-safety civil-rights technology
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Frequently asked questions

What does AB 1528 do?
Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including telephone corporations, as defined. Existing law authorizes the commission to fix the rates and charges for every public utility, and requires that those rates and charges be just and reasonable. The Moore Universal Telephone Service Act established the Universal Lifeline Telephone Service program in order to provide low-income households with access to affordable basic residential telephone service. Lifeline service rates are required to be set at no more than 50% of either the basic rate for measured service or the basic flat rate service, as applicable, exclusive of federally mandated end user access charges that are available to the residential subscriber. This bill would prohibit the commission from authorizing a telephone corporation to increase rates or charges for local exchange services provided to lifeline telephone service subscribers above those in effect on January 1, 2009, except that rates and charges for local exchange services provided to lifeline telephone service subscribers may be increased in an amount no greater than the maximum annual cost-of-living percentage increase established for the CalWORKs program. The bill would prohibit the commission from authorizing telecommunications carriers using alternative technologies to traditional landline service, including mobile telephony service providers and carriers offering telecommunication using Voice over Internet Protocol, to provide lifeline service only if the commission finds that there will be no reduction in service quality or service capabilities for lifeline service subscribers than those in effect on January 1, 2009, resulting from use of the alternative technologies.
Who sponsors AB 1528?
AB 1528 is sponsored by Ruskin.
What is the current status of AB 1528?
This bill died with 2009-2010 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track AB 1528?
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