Plain English Breakdown
The official text provided is truncated at the end, cutting off details about fund management after July 1, 2028.
AB-2289: Public Utilities Commission and Broadband Internet Access Service
This bill requires the Governor to consider diversity when appointing Public Utilities Commission members, updates rules for telecommunications companies as public utilities, and creates a new Office of Broadband and Digital Equity to take over certain programs starting in July 2028.
What This Bill Does
- Requires the Governor to ensure a diverse composition of commissioners by considering diversity factors when appointing Public Utilities Commission members.
- Moves specific powers regarding commission procedures from the Constitution into state law, but only if voters approve ACA 9 and it repeals the corresponding constitutional provision.
- Defines corporations providing telecommunications service as public utilities subject to regulation under the Public Utilities Act.
- Changes the definition of 'telephone line' so it only includes items used for voice communication by telephone.
- Creates a Broadband and Digital Equity Commission with specified membership.
- Establishes an Office of Broadband and Digital Equity on July 1, 2028, to promote broadband deployment and adoption.
- Makes the new office the sole state department authorized to set rules for broadband internet access service starting in 2028.
- Transfers administration of several existing programs from the Public Utilities Commission to the new office on July 1, 2028.
Who It Names or Affects
- The Governor when selecting members for the Public Utilities Commission.
- Corporations that provide telecommunications services.
- Schools, community colleges, libraries, health clinics, and community organizations receiving discounted rates or devices under existing programs.
- Local governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations seeking funding to deploy broadband infrastructure.
Terms To Know
- Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
- The state agency that regulates public utilities, including telephone corporations.
- Recodify
- To rewrite a rule from the Constitution into regular state law.
Limits and Unknowns
- Moving PUC procedural powers to statute only happens if voters approve ACA 9.
- The creation of the new office and transfer of program control do not take effect until July 1, 2028.
- Details regarding how money in the Broadband Loan Loss Reserve Fund will be handled after 2028 are incomplete because the source text ends abruptly.