Bill Text: CA AB768 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Communications: The Office of Broadband and Digital Equity.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Failed) 2024-02-01 - From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [AB768 Detail]
Download: California-2023-AB768-Amended.html
|
Amended
IN
Assembly
March 09, 2023 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 768
| Introduced by Assembly Member Boerner Horvath |
February 13, 2023 |
An act to add Chapter 5.9 (commencing with Section 11549.80) to Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, relating to state government. communications.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 768, as amended, Boerner Horvath.
Communications: The Office of Broadband and Digital Equity.
Existing law establishes within the Department of Technology the Office of Broadband and Digital Literacy. The office oversees the acquisition and management of contracts for the development and construction of, and for the maintenance and operation of, a statewide open-access middle-mile broadband network, as defined, to provide an opportunity for last-mile providers, anchor institutions, and tribal entities to connect to, and interconnect with other networks and other appropriate connections to, the broadband network to facilitate high-speed broadband service, as specified.
Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission with regulatory authority over
public utilities, including telephone corporations. Existing law requires the commission to develop, implement, and administer the California Advanced Services Fund to encourage deployment of high-quality advanced communications services to all Californians that will promote economic growth, job creation, and the substantial social benefits of advanced information and communications technologies.
This bill would establish within state government the Office of Broadband and Digital Equity. This bill would establish the Office of Broadband and Digital Equity Board with members, as specified. The bill would provide the purpose of the office is to serve as a centralized state office for broadband and digital activities within the state. The bill would also specify the office has the powers and authorities to develop and implement policies to promote broadband
service and to protect consumers from unfair business practices relating to broadband services.
Existing law establishes the Department of Technology within the Government Operations Agency and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the approval and oversight of information technology projects. Existing law, the Unruh Civil Rights Act, provides that all persons within the jurisdiction of this state are entitled to full and equal accommodations in all business establishments regardless of their sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, or sexual orientation.
This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to subsequently amend this bill to include provisions that would establish the Office of Digital Equity.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee:Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 5.9 (commencing with Section 11549.80) is added to Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read:CHAPTER 5.9. Office of Broadband and Digital Equity
11549.80.
For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:(a) “Board” means the Broadband and Digital Equity Board.
(b) “Office” means the Office of Broadband and Digital Equity.
11549.81.
There is in state government the Office of Broadband and Digital Equity.11549.82.
The office shall serve as the centralized state office for broadband and digital equity activities within the state.11549.83.
The office shall have the powers and authorities necessary to do both of the following:(a) To develop and implement policies to promote broadband service and access throughout the state.
(b) To ensure consumers are protected from unfair business practices relating to broadband internet purchase, rental, and use.
11549.84.
The office shall be administered by the board which shall consist of the following members:(a) Five appointees by the Governor. Three appointees shall consist of the following members:
(1) A member who is a representative of a labor organization.
(2) A member who is a representative of a consumer advocacy organization.
(3) A member who is a representative of an internet service provider.
(b) One appointee by the Speaker of the Assembly.
(c) One appointee by the Senate Rules Committee.
It is the intent of the Legislature to subsequently amend this measure to include provisions that would establish the Office of Digital Equity.
