BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    







                                                          AB 206  
Date of Hearing:  May 14, 1997

               ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                     Carole Migden, Chairwoman

           AB 206 (Hertzberg) - As Amended:  May 6, 1997
 
Policy Committee:  Televising the Assembly      Vote:  5-0  
(Consent)

Urgency:  No      State Mandated Local Program:  NoReimbursable:   
No    

  SUMMARY  

1)  Requires state agencies that maintain Internet web sites to  
provide plain-language complaint forms on their web sites by July  
1, 1998, or within six months of establishing a web site.

2) Requires state agencies to be consistent with statewide  
   strategy for electronic commerce as established by the  
   Department of Information Technology (DOIT).

3) Allows a state agency to determine whether it will accept  
   complaint forms via the Internet or through the mail.

4) States legislative intent that this bill not affect procedures  
   established to investigate citizens' complaints against peace  
   officers.  

  FISCAL EFFECT  

Indeterminable, probably absorbable, costs to state agencies to  
develop an Internet complaint system.
     
  BACKGROUND 

1)  Purpose  .  This bill is designed to help the public overcome the  
   many frustrations of dealing with governmental agencies.  This  
   bill makes it easier for consumers to register and resolve  
   complaints with a state agency.  At least two other states,  
   Massachusetts and Illinois, currently provide services over the  
   Internet.

2)  Current Web Sites  .  Many state agencies provide information on  
   the Internet, including forms and regulations.  The system is  
   not used for interactive purposes due to unresolved security  
   and privacy issues.  


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                                                          AB 206  
3)  Opposition  .  The last amended version of this bill addresses  
   many state agency concerns.  The California State University  
   (CSU), writing with late concerns, indicates it would like to  
   be excluded from the provisions of the  bill.  CSU contends  
   students have ready access to the individual's who can assist  
   them in resolving a complaint.  CSU believes a commmon  
   complaint form would make complaint resolution more difficult  
   because each situation requires an understanding of the  
   specific CSU policies in question. 








































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