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9A AB 2987 WORK CONTINUES FEDERAL TELECOM UPDATE Page 11 League legislative staff are continuing their Congress returned this week from its July 4 discussions with legislative committee staff on AB recess, but no action on federal telecom is antici- 2987 (Nunez/Levine), the telephone-sponsored pated. measure that would establish a state-issued franchise for video service. In June, the House passed a federal franchis- ing measure (H.R. 5252) that the League is The bill passed out of the Senate Energy, strongly opposing. The Senate Commerce, Utilities and Communications Committee on June Science and Transportation Committee approved 29 with a 9-0 vote. While amendments were S. 2686 on June 28, and re-numbered the bill to taken to address some local issues, a number of H.R. 5252. While an improvement over the House concerns were not resolved. These include bill, the League is still opposed to the measure - funding for PEG (pubtic, education, government) newly named the Advanced Telecommunications channels and institutional networks (I-Net) for and Opportunity Reform Act of 2006. The bill now schools and other public buildings. moves to the full Senate, but we do not anticipate action soon. We will keep you informed of new The League is also strongly opposed to an developments. amendment that allows cable companies to "opt . ......................... out" of their franchise agreements 10 days after a competitor announces that they have received a PROP. 42 from page 1 franchise to deploy service in the cable company's The State Controller's office (SCO) has service territory. The cable company can then apply for a state franchise to provide service in the scheduled the payment for Friday, July 14. same service territory under the new AB 2987 In addition, the SCO website franchising rules. (www.sco.ca.gov/ard/oaymentsltraffic/ As legislative discussions play out, League index.shtml) has been updated with the payment regional representatives are continuing their amounts. If you have any questions, contact Bill outreach efforts to educate local business and Byall at the State Controllers Office at (916) 323- community groups about concerns with the 0740. measure. What You Can Do: Write Your Senators, Educate Your Community. City officials are urged to participate in lobbying by sending letters to their senators about these concerns. You can also help educate your community about the issues with this bill by writing to the editors of your local newspapers. Sample letters are available online at the League's Advocacy Center (www.cacities.oro/advocacycenter). You can also help with coalition-building efforts; contact your League regional representative to learn more about this work. The Legislature is currently on its summer recess. When it reconvenes on August 7, AS 2987 is expected to be taken up in Senate Appro- priations. No hearing date has been set. PAGE 2 . PRIORITY FOCUS VIsit the League's Offidal Website--www.cacities.org July 14, 2006 . Issue #28 __0..