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AB 470

Revises provisions relating to prior authorization for medical or dental care under health insurance plans. (BDR 57-883)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Heidi Kasama

AB 470 creates a regulatory path for telephone companies to seek relief from carrier-of-last-resort duties in specific areas, enabling a transition from copper to fiber while prote

(Pursuant to Joint Standing Rule No. 14.3.1, no further action allowed.)
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Bill Summary · AB 470

AB 470 — Summary (Telecommunications: Carriers of Last Resort)

Note: The materials you provided include two different bills labeled “AB 470.” Most documents describe a California bill (author: McKinnor) about telephone corporations and carriers of last resort. One “As Introduced” text appears to be a Nevada prior‑authorization/health‑insurance bill (different subject and sponsor). This summary focuses on the California telecommunications bill (carrier of last resort). Tell me if you want a separate summary of the health‑insurance text.

Purpose / Intent

AB 470 would establish a targeted, regulatory process to allow telephone corporations to seek relief from carrier‑of‑last‑resort (COLR) obligations in narrowly defined, eligible areas — specifically unpopulated census blocks with no basic exchange service and census blocks that are “well‑served.” The bill aims to enable an orderly, equitable transition from legacy copper networks to advanced fiber/broadband services while protecting public safety and universal‑service goals.

Key provisions

  • Directs the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC), in consultation with the Office of Emergency Services (OES), to adopt a process permitting a telephone corporation to seek relief from COLR duties for eligible census blocks.
  • Requires the PUC to adopt, by December 15, 2026, a map designating “well‑served” areas (eligible for relief).
  • Establishes required elements of the relief process, including notice to affected parties and procedures to challenge proposed relief.
  • Defines terms such as “alternative voice basic service” (specifying minimum features like PSTN interconnection, E‑911 access, backup power compatibility, month‑to‑month billing, relay access, toll‑free access), “amended status,” “amended status area,” and “broadband service.”
  • Sets post‑approval obligations for telephone corporations during specified time periods after “amended status” is granted (full details in bill text).
  • Creates the Public Safety Agency Technology Upgrade Grant Fund: monies are continuously appropriated to the PUC for grants to public safety agencies to upgrade technology; the fund may accept nongovernmental donations.
  • Exempts specified services/locations from the act’s provisions.
  • Contains legislative findings regarding limited public‑access confidentiality where applicable.
  • Notes that violations of PUC orders remain criminally actionable under existing law; the bill declares it imposes a state‑mandated local program but includes a provision that no reimbursement is required under specified constitutional/statutory rules.

Who is affected

  • Telephone corporations operating in California (those subject to COLR obligations).
  • Consumers in eligible census blocks (unpopulated or “well‑served” areas) — potential change in which provider must offer basic service.
  • Public safety agencies (eligible for technology‑upgrade grants).
  • PUC and OES (administration, mapping, review, and oversight duties).
  • Potentially local governments and first‑responders when emergency communications are implicated.

Timing & procedural status

  • Introduced in early 2025; legislative history shows assembly passage (June 27, 2025) and subsequent referral to Senate committees.
  • PUC must adopt the well‑served area map by December 15, 2026.
  • As of the latest materials, the bill has been in various committees (Energy, Utilities & Communications; Appropriations) and had actions including being held under submission (committee suspense). Some records also note “Pursuant to Joint Standing Rule No. 14.3.1, no further action allowed” — the file contains inconsistent status entries; please confirm which jurisdiction/version you want tracked if you need the current roll‑call status.

If you’d like: I can (1) produce a concise table of the bill’s deadlines and procedural milestones; or (2) summarize the separate AB 470 health‑insurance/prior‑authorization text you provided. Which would you prefer?

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

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