HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06092015 - C.45RECOMMENDATION(S):
ADOPT a "Support" position on AB 1262 (Wood), as introduced: Telecommunications: Universal Service, a bill that
would modify existing limits on funds allocated from the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) to the Rural
and Urban Regional Broadband Consortia Grant Account and the Broadband Infrastructure Revolving Loan Account,
to promote ubiquitous broadband deployment and to advance broadband adoption in unserved and underserved areas
throughout the state, as recommended by the Legislation Committee.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Increased annual PUC implementation and oversight costs of approximately $130,000 (CASF) beginning in January
2018. By increasing the limit of the Rural and Urban Regional Broadband Consortia Grant Account, this bill
effectively extends the program beyond 2017.
BACKGROUND:
At its May 7, 2015 meeting, the Legislation Committee considered and accepted the recommendation from the
Executive Director of Contra Costa Economic Partnership to recommend a position of "Support" to the Board of
Supervisors on AB 1262.
Introduced: 02/27/2015
Disposition: Pending
Location: SENATE
Status: 05/21/15 to Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities, and Communications
APPROVE OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
Action of Board On: 06/09/2015 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
Clerks Notes:
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
AYE:John Gioia, District I
Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II
Supervisor
Mary N. Piepho, District III
Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV
Supervisor
ABSENT:Federal D. Glover, District V
Supervisor
Contact: L. DeLaney, 925-335-1097
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: June 9, 2015
David Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By: June McHuen, Deputy
cc:
C. 45
To:Board of Supervisors
From:LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
Date:June 9, 2015
Contra
Costa
County
Subject:AB 1262 (Wood) Telecommunications: Universal Service
BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)
SUMMARY:
This bill modifies existing limits on funds allocated from the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) to the
Rural and Urban Regional Broadband Consortia Grant Account and the Broadband Infrastructure Revolving Loan
Account. Specifically, this bill:
1) Increases the existing limit from $10 to $15 million for monies collected for the CASF and allocated to the
Rural and Urban Regional Broadband Consortia Grant Account.
2) Decreases the existing limit from $15 million to $10 million for monies collected for the CASF and allocated to
the Broadband Infrastructure Revolving Loan Account.
COMMENTS:
1) Purpose. According to the author, the CASF was created to encourage the deployment of high-quality advanced
communications services to all Californians. As progress continues in achieving greater broadband expansion, it is
imperative to continue the state's commitment to help ensure universal access to basic telecommunications
services.
The author further states, the Rural and Urban Regional Broadband Consortia Grant Account is about to be
exhausted. Therefore, if further monies are not available, many rural consortia will no longer be able to provide
the appropriate broadband educational service nor assist in preparing applications for CASF grants.
2) Background. SB 1193 (Padilla) Chapter 393, Statutes of 2008, established the CASF and gave the PUC
authority to assess a surcharge on communication service ratepayers (wireline, wireless, and voice over internet
protocol customers) receiving intrastate telecommunication services to fund the program. Beginning in April 1,
2014, the CPUC increased the surcharge from 0.164% to 0.464%.
As of December 31, 2014, the CASF has collected approximately $199 million of which approximately $85
million is still remaining in the fund. Currently, after several legislative modifications, funding is allocated to four
CASF accounts:
a) Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account $270 million
Funds the capital costs of broadband infrastructure projects in unserved and underserved areas in California. Local
government projects are limited to unserved households or businesses. Carriers eligible to apply for a grant award
must hold a certificate of public convenience and necessity or Wireless Identification Registration from the PUC.
CASF funding is also available to non-telephone corporations which are facilities based broadband service
providers.
b) Broadband Infrastructure Revolving Loan Account $10 million
Supplements financing for projects also receiving CASF grant funding. Up to 20% of total project cost is eligible
for financing. Applicant and project eligibility is the same as the Infrastructure Grant Account.
c) Rural and Urban Regional Broadband Consortia Grant Account $10 million
Provides funding for the cost of broadband deployment activities, other than the capital cost of facilities. Eligible
recipients include, but is not limited to local and regional governments, public safety, K-12 education, health care,
and community-based organizations.
d) Broadband Public Housing Account $25 million
Supports projects to deploy local area networks and to increase adoption rates in publicly supported housing
communities.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Contra Costa County would not have a position on the bill.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Bill Text
Attachment B - Letter of Support_Contra Costa Economic Partnership
Attachment C - Letter of Support_California Regional Broadband Consortia Leaders
california legislature—2015–16 regular session
ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1262
Introduced by Assembly Member Wood
February 27, 2015
An act to amend Section 281 of the Public Utilities Code, relating to
telecommunications, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take effect
immediately.
legislative counsel’s digest
AB 1262, as introduced, Wood. Telecommunications: universal
service: California Advanced Services Fund.
Existing law, the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, establishes
a program of cooperative federalism for the regulation of
telecommunications to attain the goal of local competition, while
implementing specific, predictable, and sufficient federal and state
mechanisms to preserve and advance universal service, consistent with
certain universal service principles. The universal service principles
include the principle that consumers in all regions of the nation,
including low-income consumers and those in rural, insular, and
high-cost areas, should have access to telecommunications and
information services, including interexchange services and advanced
telecommunications and information services, that are reasonably
comparable to those services provided in urban areas and that are
available at rates that are reasonably comparable to rates charged for
similar services in urban areas. The act authorizes each state to adopt
regulations to provide for additional definitions and standards to preserve
and advance universal service within the state, only to the extent that
they adopt additional specific, predictable, and sufficient mechanisms
99
Attachment A
that do not rely on or burden federal universal service support
mechanisms.
Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory
authority over public utilities, including telephone corporations, as
defined. Existing law establishes the California Advanced Services
Fund, referred to as the CASF, in the State Treasury. Existing law
requires the commission to develop, implement, and administer the
CASF to encourage deployment of high-quality advanced
communications services to all Californians that will promote economic
growth, job creation, and substantial social benefits of advanced
information and communications technologies, as provided in specified
decisions of the commission and in the CASF statute. Existing law
establishes 4 accounts, the Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account,
the Rural and Urban Regional Broadband Consortia Grant Account,
the Broadband Infrastructure Revolving Loan Account, and the
Broadband Public Housing Account within the CASF. Existing law
requires that of the moneys collected for CASF on and after January 1,
2011, $10,000,000 is to be deposited into the Rural and Urban Regional
Broadband Consortia Grant Account and used for specified purposes,
and $15,000,000 is to be deposited into the Broadband Infrastructure
Revolving Loan Account and used for specified purposes.
This bill would require that of the moneys collected for CASF on and
after January 1, 2011, $15,000,000 is to be deposited into the Rural and
Urban Regional Broadband Consortia Grant Account and used for
specified purposes, and $10,000,000 is to be deposited into the
Broadband Infrastructure Revolving Loan Account and used for
specified purposes.
This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an
urgency statute.
Vote: 2⁄3. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
line 1 SECTION 1. Section 281 of the Public Utilities Code is
line 2 amended to read:
line 3 281. (a) The commission shall develop, implement, and
line 4 administer the California Advanced Services Fund program to
line 5 encourage deployment of high-quality advanced communications
line 6 services to all Californians that will promote economic growth,
99
— 2 —AB 1262
Attachment A
line 1 job creation, and the substantial social benefits of advanced
line 2 information and communications technologies, consistent with
line 3 this section.
line 4 (b) (1) The goal of the program is, no later than December 31,
line 5 2015, to approve funding for infrastructure projects that will
line 6 provide broadband access to no less than 98 percent of California
line 7 households.
line 8 (2) In approving infrastructure projects, the commission shall
line 9 give priority to projects that provide last-mile broadband access
line 10 to households that are unserved by an existing facilities-based
line 11 broadband provider. The commission shall provide each applicant,
line 12 and any party challenging an application, the opportunity to
line 13 demonstrate actual levels of broadband service in the project area,
line 14 which the commission shall consider in reviewing the application.
line 15 (c) The commission shall establish the following accounts within
line 16 the fund:
line 17 (1) The Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account.
line 18 (2) The Rural and Urban Regional Broadband Consortia Grant
line 19 Account.
line 20 (3) The Broadband Infrastructure Revolving Loan Account.
line 21 (4) The Broadband Public Housing Account.
line 22 (d) (1) All moneys collected by the surcharge authorized by
line 23 the commission pursuant to Decision 07-12-054 shall be
line 24 transmitted to the commission pursuant to a schedule established
line 25 by the commission. The commission shall transfer the moneys
line 26 received to the Controller for deposit in the California Advanced
line 27 Services Fund. Moneys collected on and after January 1, 2011,
line 28 shall be deposited in the following amounts in the following
line 29 accounts:
line 30 (A) One hundred ninety million dollars ($190,000,000) into the
line 31 Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account.
line 32 (B) Ten million dollars ($10,000,000) Fifteen million dollars
line 33 ($15,000,000) into the Rural and Urban Regional Broadband
line 34 Consortia Grant Account.
line 35 (C) Fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) Ten million dollars
line 36 ($10,000,000) into the Broadband Infrastructure Revolving Loan
line 37 Account.
line 38 (2) All interest earned on moneys in the fund shall be deposited
line 39 in the fund.
99
AB 1262— 3 — Attachment A
line 1 (3) The commission shall not collect moneys, by imposing the
line 2 surcharge described in paragraph (1) for deposit in the fund, in an
line 3 amount that exceeds one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000)
line 4 before January 1, 2011. On and after January 1, 2011, the
line 5 commission may collect an additional sum not to exceed two
line 6 hundred fifteen million dollars ($215,000,000), for a sum total of
line 7 moneys collected by imposing the surcharge described in paragraph
line 8 (1) not to exceed three hundred fifteen million dollars
line 9 ($315,000,000). The commission may collect the additional sum
line 10 beginning with the calendar year starting on January 1, 2011, and
line 11 continuing through the 2020 calendar year, in an amount not to
line 12 exceed twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) per year, unless
line 13 the commission determines that collecting a higher amount in any
line 14 year will not result in an increase in the total amount of all
line 15 surcharges collected from telephone customers that year.
line 16 (e) (1) All moneys in the California Advanced Services Fund
line 17 shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the
line 18 commission for the program administered by the commission
line 19 pursuant to this section, including the costs incurred by the
line 20 commission in developing, implementing, and administering the
line 21 program and the fund.
line 22 (2) Notwithstanding any other law and for the sole purpose of
line 23 providing matching funds pursuant to the federal American
line 24 Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5), any
line 25 entity eligible for funding pursuant to that act shall be eligible to
line 26 apply to participate in the program administered by the commission
line 27 pursuant to this section, if that entity otherwise satisfies the
line 28 eligibility requirements under that program. Nothing in this section
line 29 shall impede the ability of an incumbent local exchange carrier,
line 30 as defined by subsection (h) of Section 251 of Title 47 of the
line 31 United States Code, that is regulated under a rate of return
line 32 regulatory structure, to recover, in rate base, California
line 33 infrastructure investment not provided through federal or state
line 34 grant funds for facilities that provide broadband service and
line 35 California intrastate voice service.
line 36 (3) Notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 270, an entity
line 37 that is not a telephone corporation shall be eligible to apply to
line 38 participate in the program administered by the commission pursuant
line 39 to this section to provide access to broadband to an unserved or
line 40 underserved household, as defined in commission Decision
99
— 4 —AB 1262
Attachment A
line 1 12-02-015, if the entity otherwise meets the eligibility requirements
line 2 and complies with program requirements established by the
line 3 commission. These requirements shall include all of the following:
line 4 (A) That projects under this paragraph provide last-mile
line 5 broadband access to households that are unserved by an existing
line 6 facilities-based broadband provider and only receive funding to
line 7 provide broadband access to households that are unserved or
line 8 underserved, as defined in commission Decision 12-02-015.
line 9 (B) That funding for a project providing broadband access to
line 10 an underserved household shall not be approved until after any
line 11 existing facilities-based provider has an opportunity to demonstrate
line 12 to the commission that it will, within a reasonable timeframe,
line 13 upgrade existing service. An existing facilities-based provider
line 14 may, but is not required to, apply for funding under this section to
line 15 make that upgrade.
line 16 (C) That the commission shall provide each applicant, and any
line 17 party challenging an application, the opportunity to demonstrate
line 18 actual levels of broadband service in the project area, which the
line 19 commission shall consider in reviewing the application.
line 20 (D) That a local governmental agency may be eligible for an
line 21 infrastructure grant only if the infrastructure project is for an
line 22 unserved household or business, the commission has conducted
line 23 an open application process, and no other eligible entity applied.
line 24 (E) That the commission shall establish a service list of
line 25 interested parties to be notified of California Advanced Services
line 26 Fund applications.
line 27 (f) Moneys in the Rural and Urban Regional Broadband
line 28 Consortia Grant Account shall be available for grants to eligible
line 29 consortia to fund the cost of broadband deployment activities other
line 30 than the capital cost of facilities, as specified by the commission.
line 31 An eligible consortium may include, as specified by the
line 32 commission, representatives of organizations, including, but not
line 33 limited to, local and regional government, public safety, elementary
line 34 and secondary education, health care, libraries, postsecondary
line 35 education, community-based organizations, tourism, parks and
line 36 recreation, agricultural, and business, and is not required to have
line 37 as its lead fiscal agent an entity with a certificate of public
line 38 convenience and necessity.
line 39 (g) Moneys in the Broadband Infrastructure Revolving Loan
line 40 Account shall be available to finance capital costs of broadband
99
AB 1262— 5 — Attachment A
line 1 facilities not funded by a grant from the Broadband Infrastructure
line 2 Grant Account. The commission shall periodically set interest rates
line 3 on the loans based on surveys of existing financial markets.
line 4 (h) (1) For purposes of this subdivision, the following terms
line 5 have the following meanings:
line 6 (A) “Publicly subsidized” means either that the housing
line 7 development receives financial assistance from the United States
line 8 Department of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to an
line 9 annual contribution contract or is financed with low-income
line 10 housing tax credits, tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds, general
line 11 obligation bonds, or local, state, or federal loans or grants and the
line 12 rents of the occupants, who are lower income households, do not
line 13 exceed those prescribed by deed restrictions or regulatory
line 14 agreements pursuant to the terms of the financing or financial
line 15 assistance.
line 16 (B) “Publicly supported community” means a publicly
line 17 subsidized multifamily housing development that is wholly owned
line 18 by either of the following:
line 19 (i) A public housing agency that has been chartered by the state,
line 20 or by any city or county in the state, and has been determined to
line 21 be an eligible public housing agency by the United States
line 22 Department of Housing and Urban Development.
line 23 (ii) An incorporated nonprofit organization as described in
line 24 Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec.
line 25 501(c)(3)) that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of
line 26 that code (16 U.S.C. Sec. 501(a)), and that has received public
line 27 funding to subsidize the construction or maintenance of housing
line 28 occupied by residents whose annual income qualifies as “low” or
line 29 “very low” income according to federal poverty guidelines.
line 30 (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (b) of Section 270, moneys in
line 31 the Broadband Public Housing Account shall be available for the
line 32 commission to award grants and loans pursuant to this subdivision
line 33 to an eligible publicly supported community if that entity otherwise
line 34 meets eligibility requirements and complies with program
line 35 requirements established by the commission.
line 36 (3) Not more than twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) shall
line 37 be available for grants and loans to a publicly supported community
line 38 to finance a project to connect a broadband network to that publicly
line 39 supported community. A publicly supported community may be
line 40 an eligible applicant only if the publicly supported community can
99
— 6 —AB 1262
Attachment A
line 1 verify to the commission that the publicly supported community
line 2 has not denied a right of access to any broadband provider that is
line 3 willing to connect a broadband network to the facility for which
line 4 the grant or loan is sought.
line 5 (4) (A) Not more than five million dollars ($5,000,000) shall
line 6 be available for grants and loans to a publicly supported community
line 7 to support programs designed to increase adoption rates for
line 8 broadband services for residents of that publicly supported
line 9 community. A publicly supported community may be eligible for
line 10 funding for a broadband adoption program only if the residential
line 11 units in the facility to be served have access to broadband services
line 12 or will have access to broadband services at the time the funding
line 13 for adoption is implemented.
line 14 (B) A publicly supported community may contract with other
line 15 nonprofit or public agencies to assist in implementation of a
line 16 broadband adoption program.
line 17 (5) To the extent feasible, the commission shall approve projects
line 18 for funding from the Broadband Public Housing Account in a
line 19 manner that reflects the statewide distribution of publicly supported
line 20 communities.
line 21 (6) In reviewing a project application under this subdivision,
line 22 the commission shall consider the availability of other funding
line 23 sources for that project, any financial contribution from the
line 24 broadband service provider to the project, the availability of any
line 25 other public or private broadband adoption or deployment program,
line 26 including tax credits and other incentives, and whether the applicant
line 27 has sought funding from, or participated in, any reasonably
line 28 available program. The commission may require an applicant to
line 29 provide match funding, and shall not deny funding for a project
line 30 solely because the applicant is receiving funding from another
line 31 source.
line 32 (7) (A) To provide funding for the purposes of this subdivision,
line 33 the commission shall transfer to the Broadband Public Housing
line 34 Account twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) from the Broadband
line 35 Infrastructure Grant Account and five million dollars ($5,000,000)
line 36 from the Broadband Revolving Loan Account. Any moneys in the
line 37 Broadband Public Housing Account that have not been awarded
line 38 pursuant to this subdivision by December 31, 2016, shall be
line 39 transferred back to the Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account
99
AB 1262— 7 — Attachment A
line 1 and Broadband Infrastructure Revolving Loan Account in
line 2 proportion to the amount transferred from the respective accounts.
line 3 (B) The commission shall transfer funds pursuant to
line 4 subparagraph (A) only if the commission is otherwise authorized
line 5 to collect funds for purposes of this section in excess of the total
line 6 amount authorized pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (d).
line 7 (i) (1) The commission shall conduct two interim financial
line 8 audits and a final financial audit and two interim performance
line 9 audits and a final performance audit of the implementation and
line 10 effectiveness of the California Advanced Services Fund to ensure
line 11 that funds have been expended in accordance with the approved
line 12 terms of the grant awards and loan agreements and this section.
line 13 The commission shall report its interim findings to the Legislature
line 14 by April 1, 2011, and April 1, 2017. The commission shall report
line 15 its final findings to the Legislature by April 1, 2021. The reports
line 16 shall also include an update to the maps in the final report of the
line 17 California Broadband Task Force and data on the types and
line 18 numbers of jobs created as a result of the program administered
line 19 by the commission pursuant to this section.
line 20 (2) (A) The requirement for submitting a report imposed under
line 21 paragraph (1) is inoperative on January 1, 2022, pursuant to Section
line 22 10231.5 of the Government Code.
line 23 (B) A report to be submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be
line 24 submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government
line 25 Code.
line 26 (j) (1) Beginning on January 1, 2012, and annually thereafter,
line 27 the commission shall provide a report to the Legislature that
line 28 includes all of the following information:
line 29 (A) The amount of funds expended from the California
line 30 Advanced Services Fund in the prior year.
line 31 (B) The recipients of funds expended from the California
line 32 Advanced Services Fund in the prior year.
line 33 (C) The geographic regions of the state affected by funds
line 34 expended from the California Advanced Services Fund in the prior
line 35 year.
line 36 (D) The expected benefits to be derived from the funds expended
line 37 from the California Advanced Services Fund in the prior year.
line 38 (E) Actual broadband adoption levels from the funds expended
line 39 from the California Advanced Services Fund in the prior year.
99
— 8 —AB 1262
Attachment A
line 1 (F) The amount of funds expended from the California
line 2 Advanced Services Fund used to match federal funds.
line 3 (G) An update on the expenditures from California Advanced
line 4 Services Fund and broadband adoption levels, and an accounting
line 5 of remaining unserved and underserved households and areas of
line 6 the state.
line 7 (H) The status of the California Advanced Services Fund balance
line 8 and the projected amount to be collected in each year through 2020
line 9 to fund approved projects.
line 10 (2) (A) The requirement for submitting a report imposed under
line 11 paragraph (1) is inoperative on January 1, 2021, pursuant to Section
line 12 10231.5 of the Government Code.
line 13 (B) A report to be submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be
line 14 submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government
line 15 Code.
line 16 SEC. 2. This act is an urgency statute necessary for the
line 17 immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within
line 18 the meaning of Article IV of the Constitution and shall go into
line 19 immediate effect. The facts constituting the necessity are:
line 20 The immediate continuation of assistance with broadband
line 21 deployment is a primary purpose of the Rural and Urban Regional
line 22 Broadband Consortia Grant Account. In order to ensure funding
line 23 for regular broadband consortia activities, adequate funding must
line 24 be made available. The Rural and Urban Regional Broadband
line 25 Consortia Grant Account has been exhausted and unless moneys
line 26 are made available immediately, deployment activities could cease.
O
99
AB 1262— 9 — Attachment A
April 14, 2015
The Honorable Jim Wood
Assembly Member, Assembly District 2
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Assemblymember Wood:
I am writing on behalf of the Contra Costa Economic Partnership to express our strong support for AB
1262 (Wood), Telecommunications: Universal Service: California Advance Services Fund (CASF), to
transfer $5 million to the Rural and Urban Regional Broadband Consortia Grant Account.
The Contra Costa Economic Partnership (Partnership) is a coalition of business, education and public
sector leaders dedicated to promoting economic vitality and an excellent quality of life in the East Bay
region. The Partnership works collaboratively to support and expand existing businesses, and to attract
high‐wage, high‐skill jobs and emerging technology companies to the region. The Partnership proudly
serves as the fiscal agent of the East Bay Broadband Consortium (EBBC), a regional initiative covering
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano counties focused on improving Broadband (high‐speed Internet)
deployment, access and adoption in the East Bay. EBBC has 41 formal organizational and institutional
members and has been endorsed by 25 leadership organization.
For the past three years, rural and urban regional consortia have been working to promote ubiquitous
broadband deployment and to advance broadband adoption in unserved and underserved areas
throughout the state. AB 1262 would allow consortia to continue working with telecommunications
providers and key community stakeholders to promote CASF for years to come.
The Partnership strongly believes AB 1262 is essential to achieving the state’s broadband goal of
reaching 98% broadband deployment and 80% adoption for California by 2015, goals acknowledged by
the California Broadband Council (CBC); California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC); and California
Emerging Technology Fund (CETF).
The Partnership sincerely thanks you, Assembly Member Wood, for your leadership and for introducing
this important legislation. We applaud your commitment to help close the digital divide in California.
Warmest regards,
Kristin Connelly
Executive Director
1355 Willow Way, Suite 253, Concord, CA 94520 – (925)246‐1880 V * (925)674‐1654 F * www.cceconptnr.org
Attachment B
San Joaquin Valley
Broadband Consortium
“Connected Capital Area”
Broadband Consortium
San Diego Imperial Regional
Broadband Consortium
Gold Country
Broadband Consortium
April 22, 2015 Via E mail
Assembly Member Jimmy Gomez, Chair Assembly Member James Gallagher
Assembly Member Frank Begelow, Vice Chair Assembly Member Eduardo Garcia
Assembly Member Richard Bloom Assembly Member Chris R. Holden
Assembly Member Rob Bonta Assembly Member Brian W. Jones
Assembly Member Ian C. Calderon Assembly Member Bill Quirk
Assembly Member Ling Ling Chang Assembly Member Anthony Rendon
Assembly Member Tom Daly Assembly Member Donald P. Wagner
Assembly Member Susan Talamantes Eggman Assembly Member Shirley N. Weber
Assembly Member Jim Wood
RE: AB1262 (Wood)
Dear Assembly Appropriations Committee Members:
We are writing to express our strong support for AB 1262 (Wood), Telecommunications:
Universal Service: California Advance Services Fund (CASF), to transfer $5 million to the
Rural and Urban Regional Broadband Consortia Grant Account. The bill passed unanimously on
Consent in the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee on April 20th.
For the past three years, rural and urban regional consortia have been working to promote
ubiquitous broadband deployment and to advance broadband adoption in unserved and underserved
areas throughout the state. AB 1262 would allow consortia to continue working with
telecommunication providers and key community stakeholders to promote CASF for years to come.
We think AB 1262 is essential to achieving the state’s broadband goal of reaching 98%
broadband deployment and 80% adoption for California by 2015, goals acknowledged by the
California Broadband Council (CBC); California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC); and
California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF).
We sincerely thank Assembly Member Wood for introducing this legislation and we commend the
Assembly Appropriations Committee on your commitment to help close the Digital Divide in
California. Attached is a list and letters endorsing AB 1262 showing widespread support throughout
the state and providing evidence that funding for the regional consortia is fiscally prudent.
Sincerely,
The California Regional Broadband Consortia Leaders
Revlyn Williams
Executive Director, Manchester Community
Technologies, Inc.
LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL BROADBAND
CONSORTIUM (LACRBC), Los Angeles County
Diana Rodriguez
Director, Digital Learning and Technology,
Youth Policy Institute
LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL BROADBAND
CONSORTIUM (LACRBC), Los Angeles County
Attachment C
San Joaquin Valley
Broadband Consortium
“Connected Capital Area”
Broadband Consortium
San Diego Imperial Regional
Broadband Consortium
Gold Country
Broadband Consortium
Sara Shapiro
Assistant Principal, El Monte Union High School
LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL BROADBAND
CONSORTIUM (LACRBC), Los Angeles County
Cesar Zaldivar-Motts
Executive Director, Southeast Community
Development Corporation (SCDC)
LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL BROADBAND
CONSORTIUM (LACRBC), Los Angeles County
Saundra Davis
Executive Director, Community Centers
Incorporated (CCI)
LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL BROADBAND
CONSORTIUM (LACRBC), Los Angeles County
Connie Stewart
Executive Director, California Center for
Rural Policy, CSU Humboldt
REDWOOD COAST CONNECT (RCC), Del Norte,
Humboldt, and Trinity Counties
Randy Wagner
President and CEO, Sierra Economic
Development Corporation (SEDCorp)
GOLD COUNTRY BROADBAND CONSORTIUM (GOLD
COUNTRY) Sierra, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado and Alpine
Counties
Shelly Hance
Executive Director, Amador-Tuolumne
Community Action Agency (A-TCAA)
CENTRAL SIERRA CONNECT BROADBAND
CONSORTIUM (CSC), Amador, Calaveras,
Tuolumne, Mariposa and Alpine
Nate Greenberg
GISP, IT Director and GIS Coordinator, County
of Mono and Town of Mammoth Lakes
EASTERN SIERRA CONNECT REGIONAL BROADBAND
CONSORTIUM (ESCRBC), Inyo, Mono and Eastern Kern
Counties
Martha van Rooijen
IERB Consortium Manager
INLAND EMPIRE REGIONAL BROADBAND
CONSORTIUM (IERB), San Bernardino and
Riverside Counties
Jodi Mulligan
Project Manager, Valley Vision
CONNECTED CAPITAL AREA BROADBAND
CONSORTIUM (CCABC) Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo and
Yuba Counties
Joel Staker
Network Administrator, City of Watsonville
CENTRAL COAST BROADBAND CONSORTIUM
(CCBC), Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz
Counties
Attachment C
San Joaquin Valley
Broadband Consortium
“Connected Capital Area”
Broadband Consortium
San Diego Imperial Regional
Broadband Consortium
Gold Country
Broadband Consortium
Linda Best
Retired President and CEO, Contra Costa
Economic Partnership
EAST BAY BROADBAND CONSORTIUM (EBBC),
Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano Counties
Jennifer Henry Storm
Executive Director, Economic Development
Foundation, San Diego Regional Economic
Development Corporation
SAN DIEGO IMPERIAL REGIONAL BROADBAND
CONSORTIUM (SDIRBC), San Diego and Imperial
Counties
Cathy Emerson
Program Manager, Broadband
Organization Development and Facilitation,
CSU Chico
NORTHEASTERN CALIFORNIA CONNECT
CONSORTIUM (NECCC), Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta,
Lassen, Tehama, Butte and Plumas Counties and
UPSTATE CALIFORNIA CONNECT CONSORTIUM
(UCCC), Lake, Glenn, and Colusa Counties
Mike Dozier
Lead Executive, California Partnership for
the San Joaquin Valley, CSU Fresno
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY REGIONAL BROADBAND
CONSORTIUM (SJVRBC), Fresno, Kern, Kings,
Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tulare
Counties
Thomas W. West
Non-Voting Chair of the Oversight Committee
NORTH BAY/NORTH COAST BROADBAND
CONSORTIUM (NBNCBC), Marin, Mendocino, Napa and
Sonoma Counties
Bruce Stenslie
President and CEO, Economic Development
Collaborative of Ventura County
BROADBAND CONSORTIUM OF THE PACIFIC
COAST, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and
Ventura Counties
Cc: Mr. Tony Bui
Ms. Jennifer Galehouse
Mr. John Scribner
Ms. Annabel Snider
Attachment C
AB 1262 (Wood) Support List
Updated: April 21, 2015
• 211 San Bernardino County
• Access Humboldt
• Anza Electric Cooperative
• Cal State San Bernardino
• California Center for Rural
Policy
• CA Emerging Technology
Fund
• California State Association of
Counties (CSAC)
• Central Coast Broadband
Consortium
• Central Sierra Connect
Broadband Consortia
• City of Bishop
• City of California City
• City of Ridgecrest
• City of Riverside
• City of Tehachapi
• Connected Capital Area
Broadband Consortium
• Contra Costa Economic
Partnership
• Corporation for Education
Network Initiatives in CA
(CENIC)
• County of Alpine
• County of Del Norte
• County of El Dorado
• County of Humboldt
• County of Mariposa
• County of Modoc
• County of Mono
• County of Nevada
• County of Riverside
• County of Tehama
• County of Trinity
• County of Tuolumne
• County of Sacramento
• County of San Bernardino
• County of Shasta
• County of Sierra
• County of Ventura
• County of Yolo
• Eastern Sierra Connect
Regional Broadband
Consortium
• Economic Development
Collaborative – Ventura
County
• Economic Vitality
Corporation
• Edgewood Companies
• High Desert Community
Foundation
• Inland Empire Regional
Broadband Consortium
• Kern Community College
Districts
Attachment C
• Lake Tahoe South Shore
Chamber of Commerce
• Los Angeles County Regional
Broadband Consortia
• North Bay/North Coast
Broadband Consortium
• Northeastern CA Connect
Consortium
• North Lake Tahoe Chamber
• Plumas-Sierra
Telecommunications
• Praxis Associates
• Rural County Representatives
of California (RCRC)
• San Bernardino Community
College District
• San Diego Imperial Regional
Consortium
• San Joaquin Valley Regional
Broadband Consortium
• Sierra Ecosystem Associates
• Sierra Economic Development
Corporation (SedCrop)
• SMARTRiverside
• Tahoe Prosperity Center
• Town of Mammoth Lakes
• Tuolumne County Economic
Development Authority
• Upstate CA Connect
Consortium
• Volcano Communications
Group
• West Kern Community
College Districts
• Yuba Community College
Districts
Attachment C