BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 2459
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Date of Hearing: April 18, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
AB 2459 (Torres) - As Introduced: February 24, 2012
Policy Committee:
UtilitiesVote:14-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill requires the California 911 Emergency Communications
Office, within the California Technology Agency (CTA), to
implement a public education campaign on appropriate and
inappropriate uses of the 911 emergency telephone system.
FISCAL EFFECT
Ongoing special fund costs in the range of $1.5 million annually
for as long as it is determined a public education campaign is
necessary. The CTA notes that the campaign will be statewide and
target diverse populations and demographics, and that growing
use of constantly changing telecommunications technologies will
require ongoing education efforts. �State Emergency Telephone
Number Account]
According to the governor's budget proposal, expenditures in the
State Emergency Telephone Number Account are projected to total
about $123.5 million in 2011-12, while revenues will total only
$81.2 million. This operating shortfall is covered by a $15.3
million carryover balance in the account plus repayment of a $28
million loan made from the account to the General Fund as part
of the 2010-11 Budget Act. The account is projected to have a
balance of only $1million as of June 30, 2013. Some increase in
the surcharge rate will likely be necessary to address the
apparent structural imbalance in the fund in addition to funding
the costs of this bill.
COMMENTS
1)Background . In California, over 480 public safety answering
AB 2459
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points (PSAPs) receive nearly 30 million calls annually. An
increasing proportion of these calls (over 40 % last year) are
delivered by wireless and internet technology. PSAPs are
maintained by state and local law enforcement and public
safety agencies that are responsible both for taking the 9-1-1
emergency calls and responding to emergencies. State level
coordination is done by the CTA. The 9-1-1 program is funded
through a surcharge on intrastate telephone and VoIP services.
By statute the surcharge rate, which is set annually by the
CTA, must be from 0.50% to 0.75%. The current surcharge rate
is 0.50%.
2)Purpose . According to the author, "?Improved understanding of
the 9-1-1 emergency system will contribute to more efficient
utilization of emergency resources by the public. The misuse
of the 9-1-1 emergency system contributes to the failure to
meet minimum response times in California, and endangers crime
victims and persons in need of emergency assistance?AB 2459
will enable members of the public to become better partners in
using the 9-1-1 system effectively, and thus enhance public
safety."
Analysis Prepared by : Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081