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AB 142

Relating to: algorithmic software for residential housing, and providing a penalty.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Clint Anderson and 20 co-sponsors

Extends and clarifies funding for California’s Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program by continuing the surcharge and guiding appropriations to support devices, relay service

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
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Bill Summary · AB 142

AB 142 — Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (Budget Act of 2025)

Status: Re‑referred to Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review (July 2, 2025)
Introduced: January 8, 2025
Author: Committee on Budget

Purpose / Intent

AB 142 extends and clarifies the funding and administration mechanism for California’s Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP), which provides telecommunications devices, relay services, and other specialized equipment to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf‑blind, or otherwise disabled. The measure is tied to the Budget Act of 2025 and is enacted as an urgency statute (effective immediately).

Key provisions

  • Extends the Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) duty to collect a DDTP surcharge through December 31, 2034 (existing law limited collection authority through January 1, 2025). The surcharge mechanism is subject to annual appropriation by the Legislature.
  • Maintains the statutory framework that allows collection of up to $100,000,000 per year (as provided under existing law) to fund the program.
  • Requires the PUC to transfer surcharge revenues it collects to the State Controller for deposit into the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program Administrative Committee Fund.
  • Repeals the PUC’s prior explicit authority (which expired Jan 1, 2025) to make unilateral adjustments to the surcharge to manage fund balances. Instead, the bill authorizes the PUC to make recommendations to the Legislature regarding appropriations for the DDTP.
  • Confirms that violations of orders or requirements of the PUC implementing the bill remain subject to existing criminal enforcement provisions (the bill notes this creates a state‑mandated local program but specifies that no reimbursement is required under a stated statutory reason).
  • Declares legislative intent to make related statutory changes in the Budget Act of 2025.

Program content (existing statutory context)

Section 2881 (as amended) describes program elements the PUC must design/implement, including:
- Free or subsidized telecommunications devices and single party lines for certified individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and for qualifying organizations.
- A dual‑party relay system connecting deaf/hard‑of‑hearing users with hearing callers.
- Specialized or supplemental telephone communications equipment for other certified disabled subscribers.
- Access to speech‑generating devices for certified individuals with speech disabilities.
- Provider‑of‑last‑resort principle and coordination with public/private insurance for durable medical equipment.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Californians who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf‑blind, or otherwise disabled who qualify under DDTP certification rules.
  • PUC: continues surcharge collection role and is required to transfer revenues to the Controller; shifts from surcharge‑setting authority to recommendation role regarding appropriations.
  • Telecommunication customers/utilities: the surcharge is collected by providers (ultimately borne by ratepayers) subject to legislative appropriation and PUC oversight.
  • Legislature: retains appropriation authority and receives PUC recommendations on funding levels.

Fiscal, legal, and procedural notes

  • Funding: continues an existing surcharge funding mechanism (cap up to $100 million/year) but requires annual appropriation by the Legislature.
  • Enforcement: PUC orders are enforceable under existing criminal provisions; the bill acknowledges state‑mandated local program implications and provides a reimbursement statement.
  • Urgency statute: requires 2/3 legislative vote to enact and takes immediate effect.
  • Legislative history (selected): introduced 1/8/2025; passed Assembly 3/20/2025 (Ayes 53, Noes 17); amended in Senate committee (June 24–25, 2025; do pass 17–0); re‑referred to Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review (7/2/2025).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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