BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 1299
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   May 24, 2013

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                  Mike Gatto, Chair

                  AB 1299 (Bradford) - As Amended:  April 25, 2013 

          Policy Committee:                              Environmental  
          Safety       Vote:                            13-1

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          No     Reimbursable:              

           SUMMARY  

          This bill requires the PUC to fund grants for the deployment and  
          adoption of broadband service in publicly supported housing  
          communities from the California Advanced Services Program  
          (CASF).

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          1)Redirects up to $25 million (special fund) for the new grant  
            program.

          2)Increased administrative costs to the PUC of approximately  
            $150,000.

           COMMENTS  

           1)Rationale.   According to the author, access to broadband  
            internet technology affords citizens with the opportunity to  
            communicate with family and friends, conduct personal and  
            business activities, achieve academic success, research  
            employment offerings, and access community resources. 

            Many students in California's schools are not learning the  
            necessary technical skills and are at greater risk of falling  
            behind in academic achievement. While few suggest the Digital  
            Divide is the primary cause of the educational achievement  
            gap, a growing body of evidence suggests that digital  
            inequalities can evolve into future disparities in academic  
            achievement and career success. 

            This bill prioritizes funding for broadband technology in  








                                                                  AB 1299
                                                                  Page  2

            publicly subsidized affordable housing developments
           
          2)Background.   The CASF, administered by the PUC, provides  
            funding to encourage deployment of high-quality advanced  
            communications services to all Californians.  The program is  
            designed to promote economic growth, job creation, and  
            substantial social benefits of advanced information and  
            communications technologies.




           Analysis Prepared by  :    Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)  
          319-2081