BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 510
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Date of Hearing: May 20, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
510 (Rodriguez) - As Introduced February 23, 2015
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|Policy |Governmental Organization |Vote:|21 - 0 |
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill requires the Office of Emergency Services (OES) to
conduct, by January 1, 2017, a comprehensive review of the
state's 911 emergency communications system, including all
public safety answering points, available technology, funding
needs, telephone and equipment limitations, and the accuracy of
calls made by mobile devices, and provide a report on its
findings and recommendations to the Legislature.
FISCAL EFFECT:
AB 510
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Minor and absorbable costs to OES as a similar report has
already been commissioned.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. According to the author, there are two primary
problems with the state's current 911 emergency call system
resulting from the widespread use of mobile phones: (i) calls
are misrouted to the incorrect public safety answering point,
sometimes in another city or county; and (ii) caller location
information provided to the public safety answering point is
often inaccurate. The author claims approximately 70% to 80%
of 911 calls are now made by wireless devices. These calls
are typically forwarded to the California Highway Patrol,
which ascertains the location of the call and transfers the
caller to the appropriate local dispatch center, often causing
delays in emergency response services.
2)Review Underway. The author believes it is imperative the
state perform a review of its 911 emergency communications
systems and procedures, and adopt new technologies to improve
performance and accuracy. OES agrees, and has commissioned
such a study, a copy of which would likely be sufficient to
comply with the requirements of this bill. In addition, the
Federal Communications Commission promulgated new rules
requiring 911 systems to provide greater accuracy in locating
wireless callers, phasing in the new requirements over the
next 5 years.
3)Withering Fees. The state's 911 program is currently funded
with a statewide 0.75% surcharge on intrastate telephone
costs. Revenue from this surcharge has been declining for
years as a result in reductions in intrastate telephone
charges. In response, several other states have instituted
flat monthly fees for all telephone customers to fund 911
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program costs.
Analysis Prepared by:Joel Tashjian / APPR. / (916)
319-2081