reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 229.

229. “Railroad” includes every commercial, interurban, and other railway, other than a street railroad, and each branch or extension thereof, by whatsoever power operated, together with all tracks, bridges, trestles, rights of way, subways, tunnels, stations, depots, union depots, ferries, yards, grounds, terminals, terminal facilities, structures, and equipment, and all other real estate, fixtures, and personal property of every kind used in connection therewith, owned, controlled, operated, or managed for public use in the transportation of persons or property.
(Enacted by Stats. 1951, Ch. 764.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 230.

230. “Railroad corporation” includes every corporation or person owning, controlling, operating, or managing any railroad for compensation within this State.
(Enacted by Stats. 1951, Ch. 764.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 230.3.

230.3. “Service area,” for purposes of the operations of a telephone corporation, means a local access and transport area as defined and approved by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia circuit in the case of the United States v. Western Electric Co., Inc., and American Telephone and Telegraph Co., CA 82-0192, April 20 and July 8, 1983, and in a Memorandum and Order of August 5, 1983.
(Added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 796, Sec. 1.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 230.5.

230.5. “Sewer system” includes all real estate, fixtures, and personal property owned, controlled, operated, or managed in connection with or to facilitate sewage collection, treatment, or disposition for sanitary or drainage purposes, including any and all lateral and connecting sewers, interceptors, trunk and outfall lines and sanitary sewage treatment or disposal plants or works, and any and all drains, conduits, and outlets for surface or storm waters, and any and all other works, property or structures necessary or convenient for the collection or disposal of sewage, industrial waste, or surface or storm waters. “Sewer system” shall not include a sewer system which merely collects sewage on the property of a single owner.
(Added by Stats. 1970, Ch. 1109.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 230.6.

230.6. “Sewer system corporation” includes every corporation or person owning, controlling, operating, or managing any sewer system for compensation within this state.
(Added by Stats. 1970, Ch. 1110.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 231.

231. “Street railroad” includes every railway, and each branch or extension thereof, by whatsoever power operated, being mainly upon, along, above or below any street, avenue, road, highway, bridge, or public place within any city or city and county, together with all real estate, fixtures, and personal property of every kind used in connection therewith, owned, controlled, operated, or managed for public use in the transportation of persons or property, but does not include a railway constituting or used as a part of a commercial or interurban railway.
(Enacted by Stats. 1951, Ch. 764.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 232.

232. “Street railroad corporation” includes every corporation or person owning, controlling, operating, or managing any street railroad for compensation within this State, or owning, controlling, operating, or managing as a part of or in conjunction with such street railroad any automobile, jitney bus, stage, or auto stage used in the business of transportation of persons or property for compensation over any public highway in this State between fixed termini or over a regular route.
(Enacted by Stats. 1951, Ch. 764.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 233.

233. “Telephone line” includes all conduits, ducts, poles, wires, cables, instruments, and appliances, and all other real estate, fixtures, and personal property owned, controlled, operated, or managed in connection with or to facilitate communication by telephone, whether such communication is had with or without the use of transmission wires.
(Enacted by Stats. 1951, Ch. 764.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 234.

234. (a) “Telephone corporation” includes every corporation or person owning, controlling, operating, or managing any telephone line for compensation within this state.
(b) “Telephone corporation” does not include any of the following:
(1) Any hospital, hotel, motel, or similar place of temporary accommodation owning or operating message switching or billing equipment solely for the purpose of reselling services provided by a telephone corporation to its patients or guests.
(2) Any one-way paging service utilizing facilities that are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission, including, but not limited to, narrowband personal communications services described in Subpart D (commencing with Section 24.100) of Part 24 of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on June 13, 1995.
(Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 357, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1996.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 235.

235. “Telegraph line” includes all conduits, ducts, poles, wires, cables, instruments, and appliances, and all other real estate, fixtures, and personal property owned, controlled, operated, or managed in connection with or to facilitate communication by telegraph, whether such communication is had with or without the use of transmission wires.
(Enacted by Stats. 1951, Ch. 764.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 236.

236. “Telegraph corporation” includes every corporation or person owning, controlling, operating, or managing any telegraph line for compensation within this State.
(Enacted by Stats. 1951, Ch. 764.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 237.

237. “Toll-bridge corporation” includes every private corporation or person owning, controlling, operating, or managing any bridge or appurtenance thereto, used for the transportation of persons or property for compensation in this State.
(Enacted by Stats. 1951, Ch. 764.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 237.5.

237.5. “Transportation electrification” means the use of electricity from external sources of electrical power, including the electrical grid, for all or part of vehicles, vessels, trains, boats, or other equipment that are mobile sources of air pollution and greenhouse gases and the related programs and charging and propulsion infrastructure investments to enable and encourage this use of electricity.
(Added by Stats. 2015, Ch. 547, Sec. 9. (SB 350) Effective January 1, 2016.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 238.

238. (a) “Vessel” includes every species of watercraft, by whatsoever power operated, which is owned, controlled, operated or managed for public use in the transportation of persons or property, except rowboats, sailing boats, barges under 20 tons dead weight carrying capacity, and vessels which are both under the burden of five tons net register and under 30 feet in length. However, a vessel which is under the burden of five tons net register but is 30 or more feet in length is not a “vessel” for the purpose of this section if it is used to provide ship-to-shore services by which stores, supplies, spares, passengers, or crew of oceangoing ships are transported to or from ship and shore and payment for such services is made by, or arranged through, the oceangoing shipping company (commonly referred to as water taxi services).
(b) Nothing in this code except those provisions relating to the regulation of rates shall apply to the transportation by a water carrier of commodities in bulk when the cargo space of the vessel in which such commodities are transported is being used for the carrying of not more than three such commodities. This subsection shall apply only in the case of commodities, in bulk which are loaded and carried without wrappers or containers and received and delivered by the carrier without transportation mark or count. For the purposes of this subsection two or more vessels while navigated as a unit shall be considered to be a single vessel.
(c) Nothing in this code shall apply to the transportation by water of liquid cargoes in bulk in tank vessels designed for use exclusively in such service.
(d) Any person or corporation lawfully engaged in business in the transportation of persons or property during the entire one-year period preceding March 1, 1993, and continuously thereafter, and which, solely by virtue of the amendment to subdivision (a) made by the act that adds this subdivision, will become subject to commission regulation as a common carrier by vessel, shall file with the commission, prior to March 1, 1994, an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to operate as a common carrier by vessel. However, in lieu of all other fees required by law, the applicant shall pay a fee of fifty dollars ($50). The commission shall issue the certificate without further proceedings authorizing operation over the specific routes or within the specific area which conforms to proof of actual service in the transportation of persons or property as produced by the applicant with respect to its operations during the entire one-year period preceding March 1, 1993, and continuously thereafter.
(Amended by Stats. 1993, Ch. 1040, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1994.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 239.

239. (a) (1) “Voice over Internet Protocol” or “VoIP” means voice communications service that does all of the following:
(A) Uses Internet Protocol or a successor protocol to enable real-time, two-way voice communication that originates from, or terminates at, the user’s location in Internet Protocol or a successor protocol.
(B) Requires a broadband connection from the user’s location.
(C) Permits a user generally to receive a call that originates on the public switched telephone network and to terminate a call to the public switched telephone network.
(2) A service that uses ordinary customer premises equipment with no enhanced functionality that originates and terminates on the public switched telephone network, undergoes no net protocol conversion, and provides no enhanced functionality to end users due to the provider’s use of Internet Protocol technology is not a VoIP service.
(b) “Internet Protocol enabled service” or “IP enabled service” means any service, capability, functionality, or application using existing Internet Protocol, or any successor Internet Protocol, that enables an end user to send or receive a communication in existing Internet Protocol format, or any successor Internet Protocol format through a broadband connection, regardless of whether the communication is voice, data, or video.
(Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 733, Sec. 2. (SB 1161) Effective January 1, 2013.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 240.

240. “Water system” includes all reservoirs, tunnels, shafts, dams, dikes, headgates, pipes, flumes, canals, structures, and appliances, and all other real estate, fixtures, and personal property, owned, controlled, operated, or managed in connection with or to facilitate the diversion, development, storage, supply, distribution, sale, furnishing, carriage, apportionment, or measurement of water for power, irrigation, reclamation, or manufacturing, or for municipal, domestic, or other beneficial use.
(Enacted by Stats. 1951, Ch. 764.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 241.

241. “Water corporation” includes every corporation or person owning, controlling, operating, or managing any water system for compensation within this State.
(Enacted by Stats. 1951, Ch. 764.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 242.

242. (a) The commission and Energy Commission shall collaborate to develop and maintain a list of community-based organizations to help ensure adequate public outreach in low-income, disadvantaged, rural, tribal, and unincorporated communities regarding available programs and incentives.
(b) In developing the list pursuant to subdivision (a), the commission and Energy Commission shall work with existing advisory committees and low-income oversight boards, and with current community-based organizations engaged at their respective agencies.
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 722, Sec. 1. (SB 1213) Effective January 1, 2023.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 243.

243. This part shall not release or waive any right of action by the State, the commission, or any person or corporation for any right, penalty, or forfeiture which may have arisen or accrued or may hereafter arise or accrue under any law of this State.
(Enacted by Stats. 1951, Ch. 764.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 244.

244. No transit district, common carrier, or publicly owned transit system shall require any person to waive, limit, or qualify any right to recover damages for injury in exchange for such person being granted a reduction in price or fare for any service offered by the transit district, common carrier, or publicly owned transit system.
“Person,” as used in this section, shall not include an employee of the transit district, common carrier, or publicly owned transit system.
(Added by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1377.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 246.

246. A person or corporation shall not be a public utility subject to the jurisdiction, control and regulation of the commission and the provisions of this part solely because such person or corporation owns or controls any electric plant (a) which is leased or held for lease or sale to any public utility, or (b) the operation and use of which is vested by lease or other contract in a public utility, or (c) for a period of not more than 90 days after termination of any lease or contract with a public utility or after repossession of such property following a breach of such lease or contract. The commission may upon application issue its order approving the terms of any such lease or contract for the purpose of qualifying such person or corporation for an exemption by the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States from the federal Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended (Chapter 2C (commencing with Section 79) of Title 15, United States Code). This section shall apply only to persons or corporations for which such lease or contract was approved by the commission prior to January 1, 1979. Nothing in this section shall alter or modify the authority of the commission to regulate the rates and service of a person or corporation which is a public utility subject to the provisions of this part.
(Added by Stats. 1978, Ch. 227.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 247.

247. Any provision of this part that is in conflict with the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, (47 U.S.C. Sec. 332(c)(3)) shall not apply to commercial mobile radio service to the extent of that conflict. If any provision contained in this part applicable to commercial mobile radio service, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is invalid as a result of federal preemption, the remainder of this part, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby.
(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 198, Sec. 12. Effective January 1, 2007.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1 - General Provisions and Definitions › Section 248.

248. Any provision of the Public Utilities Act that is in conflict with the railroad provisions of Part A of Subtitle 4 of Title 49 of the United States Code shall be inapplicable to railroad transportation to the extent of that conflict. If any provision in the Public Utilities Act applicable to railroad transportation, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is in conflict with Part A of Subtitle 4 of Title 49 of the United States Code, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances shall be unaffected to the extent no conflict exists.
(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 1005, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1.5 - Advisory Boards › Section 270.

270. (a) The following funds are hereby created in the State Treasury:
(1) The California High-Cost Fund-A Administrative Committee Fund.
(2) The California High-Cost Fund-B Administrative Committee Fund.
(3) The Universal Lifeline Telephone Service Trust Administrative Committee Fund.
(4) The Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program Administrative Committee Fund.
(5) The California Teleconnect Fund Administrative Committee Fund.
(6) The California Advanced Services Fund.
(b) Moneys in the funds are held in trust and may only be expended pursuant to this chapter and upon appropriation in the annual Budget Act or upon supplemental appropriation.
(c) The commission, in administering the universal service program funds listed in subdivision (a), and in administering state participation in federal universal service programs, is encouraged, consistent with the state’s universal service policies and goals, to maximize the amount of federal funding to California participants in the federal programs.
(d) Moneys in each fund shall not be appropriated, or in any other manner transferred or otherwise diverted, to any other fund or entity, except as provided in Sections 19325 and 19325.1 of the Education Code and as provided in Section 282.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 115, Sec. 74. (AB 148) Effective July 22, 2021.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1.5 - Advisory Boards › Section 270.1.

270.1. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commission may authorize the trustee of the California High-Cost Fund-B Trust to transfer to the Deaf Equipment Acquisition Fund Trust (DEAF Trust) money sufficient to cover the costs of the programs as specified in subdivision (a) of Section 278, including, but not limited to, all costs specified in subdivision (c) of Section 278. The amount of any transfer of money authorized may not exceed the cost of operating the programs for six months. The commission shall also establish other terms of the transfer, as it determines to be appropriate.
(b) The commission shall reimburse the California High-Cost Fund-B Trust for any transfer of money to the DEAF Trust authorized pursuant to subdivision (a), with interest as determined by the commission.
(c) A sum equivalent to the amount of money transferred to the Deaf Equipment Acquisition Fund Trust (DEAF Trust) pursuant to subdivision (a) is hereby appropriated from the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program Administrative Committee Fund to the commission, for allocation to the California High-Cost Fund-B Trust, for purposes of subdivision (b).
(d) Funds may not be transferred from the California High-Cost Fund-B Trust to the DEAF Trust pursuant to subdivision (a) after September 30, 2001.
(e) Commencing on October 1, 2001, and until a date not later than June 30, 2002, reimbursements made to the California High-Cost Fund-B Trust pursuant to subdivisions (b) and (c) shall be deposited in a separate memorandum account within the DEAF Trust, subject to the terms specified in subdivision (b).
(f) On July 1, 2002, any funds in the DEAF Trust deposited in the memorandum account for purposes of reimbursing the California High-Cost Fund-B Trust shall revert to the Controller for deposit in the California High-Cost Fund-B Trust Committee Fund in the State Treasury rather than the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program Administrative Committee Fund.
(g) Commencing on July 1, 2003, any funds remaining in the DEAF Trust, exclusive of those identified in subdivision (f), shall revert to the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program Administrative Committee Fund in the State Treasury.
(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 61, Sec. 1. Effective June 21, 2002.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1.5 - Advisory Boards › Section 271.

271. For each advisory board created pursuant to this chapter all of the following are applicable:
(a) The commission shall establish the number of, and qualifications for, persons to serve as members of each board, and shall appoint the members of each board. In determining the qualifications of persons who will serve as members of each board, the commission shall consider the purpose of the program, and shall attempt to achieve balanced public participation, for each board. The membership of each board shall reflect, to the extent possible, and consistent with existing law, the ethnic and gender diversity of the state.
(b) Each board shall determine, subject to approval by the commission, the time, location, and number of monthly meetings for each board.
(c) A majority of the number of members of each board constitutes a quorum.
(d) A board cannot act at a meeting without the presence of a quorum.
(e) The affirmative vote of a majority of those members present at the meeting of a board is necessary in order to pass any motion, resolution, or measure.
(f) The commission shall determine for each board whether the board members shall receive expense reimbursement pursuant to Section 19820 of the Government Code and a per diem allowance, as specified in Section 11564.5 of the Government Code, or as established by the commission. Each member of a board who is not a commission or public utility employee, or who is not otherwise compensated by an employer for service on the board, shall be entitled to make a claim for and to receive a per diem allowance, if authorized by the commission. Each member of a board who is not a public utility employee, or who is not otherwise reimbursed by an employer for expenses incurred when serving on the board, shall be entitled to make a claim for and to receive expense reimbursement, if authorized by the commission. The commission shall allow all reasonable expense and per diem claims. The payments in each instance shall be made only from the fund that supports the activities of the board and shall be subject to the availability of money in that fund. The claims shall be filed by the board with the commission.
(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 677, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1.5 - Advisory Boards › Section 273.

273. Each advisory board created pursuant to this chapter shall do both of the following:
(a) Submit an annual budget to the commission. Within 90 calendar days after receiving a board’s annual budget, the commission shall either accept, accept with conditions, or reject the submitted budget.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 7550.5 of the Government Code, submit, in accordance with procedures established by the commission, a report that shall describe the activities of the board during the prior reporting period. The report shall be submitted on an annual or more frequent basis, as ordered by the commission.
(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 677, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2000.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1.5 - Advisory Boards › Section 274.

274. The commission may on its own order, whenever it determines it to be necessary, conduct audits or reviews of the revenues required to be collected and submitted to the commission for each of the funds specified in Section 270. The commission may on its own order, whenever it determines it to be necessary, conduct audits or reviews on the compliance with commission orders with regard to each program subject to this chapter. The commission shall apply a risk-based methodology to conduct audits or reviews of program-related costs and activities. This section does not limit the commission’s authority to initiate an audit or review when circumstances warrant doing so. The commission may contract with the California State Auditor’s Office, the Department of Finance, or another qualified audit or consulting firm for any necessary auditing or review services if the commission’s own auditing services are not available. All costs for audits or reviews shall be paid from the fund that supports the activities of the board audited or reviewed and shall be subject to the availability of money in that fund.
(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 251, Sec. 22. (AB 209) Effective September 6, 2022.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1.5 - Advisory Boards › Section 275.

275. (a) There is hereby created the California High-Cost Fund-A Administrative Committee, which is an advisory board to advise the commission regarding the development, implementation, and administration of a program to provide for transfer payments to small independent telephone corporations providing local exchange services in high-cost rural and small metropolitan areas in the state to create fair and equitable local rate structures, as provided for in Section 275.6, and to carry out the program pursuant to the commission’s direction, control, and approval.
(b) All revenues collected through surcharges authorized by the commission to fund the program specified in subdivision (a) shall be submitted to the commission pursuant to a schedule established by the commission. The commission shall transfer the moneys received to the Controller for deposit in the California High-Cost Fund-A Administrative Committee Fund. All interest earned by moneys in the fund shall be deposited in the fund.
(c) Moneys appropriated from the California High-Cost Fund-A Administrative Committee Fund to the commission shall be utilized exclusively by the commission for the program specified in subdivision (a), including all costs of the board and the commission associated with the administration and oversight of the program and the fund.
(d) The Legislature finds and declares that, because maintenance of universal public switched telephone network service throughout the state and maintenance of public safety answering points in high-cost areas of the state rely on appropriations from the California High-Cost Fund-A Administrative Committee Fund, maintaining adequate funding levels for the fund is critical to public health and safety.
(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 520, Sec. 3. (SB 1364) Effective September 20, 2014.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1.5 - Advisory Boards › Section 276.

276. (a) There is hereby created the California High-Cost Fund-B Administrative Committee, which is an advisory board to advise the commission regarding the development, implementation, and administration of a program to provide for transfer payments to telephone corporations providing local exchange services in high-cost areas in the state to create fair and equitable local rate structures, as provided for in Section 276.5, and to carry out the program pursuant to the commission’s direction, control, and approval.
(b) All revenues collected through surcharges authorized by the commission to fund the program specified in subdivision (a) shall be submitted to the commission pursuant to a schedule established by the commission. The commission shall transfer the moneys received to the Controller for deposit in the California High-Cost Fund-B Administrative Committee Fund. All interest earned by moneys in the fund shall be deposited in the fund.
(c) Moneys appropriated from the California High-Cost Fund-B Administrative Committee Fund to the commission shall be utilized exclusively by the commission for the program specified in subdivision (a), including all costs of the board and the commission associated with the administration and oversight of the program and the fund.
(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 520, Sec. 5. (SB 1364) Effective September 20, 2014.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1.5 - Advisory Boards › Section 276.5.

276.5. (a) The commission shall develop, implement, and maintain a suitable, competitively neutral, and broad-based program to establish a fair and equitable local rate support structure aided by universal service rate support to telephone corporations serving areas where the cost of providing services exceeds rates charged by providers, as determined by the commission. The program shall be known, and may be cited, as the California High-Cost Fund-B Administrative Committee Fund program or CHCF-B program. The purpose of the program shall be to promote the goals of universal telephone service and to reduce any disparity in the rates charged by those companies. Except as otherwise explicitly provided, this subdivision does not limit the manner in which the commission collects and disburses funds, and does not limit the manner in which it may include or exclude the revenue of contributing entities in structuring the program.
(b) The commission shall structure the CHCF-B program so that any charge imposed to promote the goals of universal service reasonably equals the value of the benefits of universal service to contributing entities and their subscribers.
(c) The commission shall investigate reducing the level of universal service rate support, or elimination of universal service rate support in service areas with demonstrated competition.
(d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2028, and as of that date is repealed.
(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 706, Sec. 2. (SB 857) Effective September 28, 2022. Repealed as of January 1, 2028, by its own provisions.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1.5 - Advisory Boards › Section 277.

277. (a) There is hereby created the Universal Lifeline Telephone Service Trust Administrative Committee, which is an advisory board to advise the commission regarding the development, implementation, and administration of a program to ensure lifeline telephone service is available to the people of the state, as provided for in Article 8 (commencing with Section 871) of Chapter 4 of Part 1 of Division 1, and to carry out the program pursuant to the commission’s direction, control, and approval.
(b) All revenues collected by telephone corporations in rates authorized by the commission to fund the program specified in subdivision (a) shall be submitted to the commission pursuant to a schedule established by the commission. Commencing on October 1, 2001, and continuing thereafter, the commission shall transfer the moneys received, and all unexpended revenues collected prior to October 1, 2001, to the Controller for deposit in the Universal Lifeline Telephone Service Trust Administrative Committee Fund. All interest earned by moneys in the fund shall be deposited in the fund.
(c) Moneys appropriated from the Universal Lifeline Telephone Service Trust Administrative Committee Fund to the commission shall be utilized exclusively by the commission for the program specified in subdivision (a), including all costs of the board and the commission associated with the administration and oversight of the program and the fund.
(Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 118, Sec. 21. Effective July 30, 2001.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1.5 - Advisory Boards › Section 278.

278. (a) (1) Commencing on July 1, 2003, there is hereby created the Telecommunications Access for Deaf and Disabled Administrative Committee, formerly the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program Administrative Committee, as an advisory board to advise the commission regarding the development, implementation, and administration of programs to provide specified telecommunications services and equipment to persons in this state who are deaf or disabled, as provided for in Sections 2881, 2881.1, and 2881.2.
(2) In addition to the membership qualifications established by the commission pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 271, the commission shall establish qualifications for persons to serve as members of the Telecommunications Access for Deaf and Disabled Administrative Committee so that consumers of telecommunications services for the deaf and disabled comprise not less than two-thirds of the membership of the committee. To the extent feasible, one of those members shall have experience in the administration of programs similar to those provided for in Sections 2881, 2881.1, and 2881.2.
(3) As part of its advisory role, as specified in paragraph (1), the Telecommunications Access for Deaf and Disabled Administrative Committee shall advise the commission regarding contracts and agreements related to the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program as specified in subdivisions (d) and (e) of Section 2881.4.
(b) All revenues collected by telephone corporations in rates authorized by the commission to fund the programs specified in subdivision (a) shall be submitted to the commission pursuant to a schedule established by the commission. Commencing on July 1, 2003, and continuing thereafter, the commission shall transfer the moneys received, and all unexpended revenue collected prior to July 1, 2003, to the Controller for deposit in the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program Administrative Committee Fund. All interest earned by moneys in the fund shall be deposited in the fund. Those revenues that are collected pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 2881 shall be accounted for separately, as required by subdivision (b) of Section 2881.2, and deposited in the fund created by the commission pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 2881.2.
(c) Moneys appropriated from the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program Administrative Committee Fund to the commission shall be utilized exclusively by the commission for the programs specified in subdivision (a), including all costs of the committee and the commission associated with the administration and oversight of the programs and the fund.
(d) Commencing on July 1, 2003, staffing costs incurred by the commission for oversight and administration of the programs described in subdivision (a) shall be funded by moneys appropriated from the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program Administrative Committee Fund.
(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 162, Sec. 153. (SB 1171) Effective January 1, 2013.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1.5 - Advisory Boards › Section 280.5.

280.5. (a) Of the revenues from fees collected pursuant to Section 14666.8 of the Government Code after the operative date of this section, except for revenues from fees from a lease agreement for access to Department of Transportation property or a lease agreement existing prior to the operative date of the section, 15 percent shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purpose of addressing the state’s digital divide.
(b) Revenues described in subdivision (a) shall be deposited in the Digital Divide Account, which is hereby established in the California Teleconnect Fund Administrative Committee Fund established pursuant to Section 270, to be used only for digital divide pilot projects. Not more than 5 percent of the revenues described in subdivision (a) may be used to pay the costs incurred in connection with the administration of digital divide pilot projects by the commission.
(c) (1) The Digital Divide Grant Program is hereby established subject to the availability of funding pursuant to this section. The commission may not implement the grant program until the commission projects that at least five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) will be available in the Digital Divide Account during the calendar year following implementation, based on money collected pursuant to Section 14666.8 of the Government Code.
(2) The commission shall provide grants pursuant to this subdivision on a competitive basis subject to criteria to be established by the commission and in a way that disburses the funds widely, including urban and rural areas. Grants shall be awarded to community-based nonprofit organizations that are exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code for the purpose of funding community technology programs.
(3) Recipients of grants pursuant to this subdivision shall report to the commission annually on the effectiveness of the grant program.
(d) For purposes of this section, “community technology programs” means a program that is engaged in diffusing technology in local communities and training local communities in the use of technology, especially local communities that otherwise would have no access or limited access to the Internet and other technologies.
(e) For purposes of this section, “digital divide projects” means community technology programs involved in activities that include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Providing open access to and opportunities for training in technology.
(2) Developing content relevant to the interests and wants of the local community.
(3) Preparing youth for opportunities in the new economy through multimedia training and skills.
(4) Harnessing technology for e-government services.
(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 612, Sec. 2. (SB 697) Effective January 1, 2016.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1.5 - Advisory Boards › Section 281.1.

281.1. Beginning January 1, 2022, the commission may impose the surcharge pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 281 to fund the California Advanced Services Fund pursuant to Section 281 until December 31, 2032.
(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 658, Sec. 2. (AB 14) Effective October 8, 2021.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1.5 - Advisory Boards › Section 281.2.

281.2. (a) (1) The Broadband Loan Loss Reserve Fund is hereby established in the State Treasury. Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, moneys in the fund are hereby continuously appropriated, without regard to fiscal years, to the commission and shall be available to fund costs related to the financing of the deployment of broadband infrastructure by a local government agency or nonprofit organization, including, but not limited to, payment of costs of debt issuance, obtaining credit enhancement, and establishment and funding of reserves for the payment of principal and interest on the debt.
(2) In the 2021–22 fiscal year, the commission may make cashflow loans to the Broadband Loan Loss Reserve Fund from accounts established pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 281.
(b) The commission may establish, among other things, eligibility requirements, financing terms and conditions, and allocation criteria, for infrastructure projects deployed using financing supported in whole or in part by funds allocated pursuant to this section.
(c) The commission may require a local government agency or nonprofit organization to provide information demonstrating the agency’s or nonprofit organization’s ability to reasonably finance and implement the infrastructure project deployed using financing supported in whole or in part by funds allocated pursuant to this section.
(d) The commission shall require each local government agency or nonprofit organization receiving funds under this section to file both of the following reports in the form and manner specified by the commission:
(1) Biannual progress reports identifying project milestones and percent completions to date, and including other information as the commission may prescribe.
(2) A completion report, including a full description of the completed project, comparison of approved versus actual costs of construction, speed test data for all areas served by the project, and other information as the commission may prescribe.
(Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 112, Sec. 8. (SB 156) Effective July 20, 2021.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1.5 - Advisory Boards › Section 281.6.

281.6. (a) The commission, in collaboration with relevant state agencies and stakeholders, shall maintain and update a statewide, publicly accessible, and interactive map showing the accessibility of broadband service in the state, including, but not limited to, information identifying the percentage of each census block that has broadband service meeting federal and state standards. The map shall identify, for each address in the state, each provider of broadband services that offers service at the address and the maximum speed of broadband services offered by each provider of broadband services at the address.
(b) The map required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall also include all of the following features to receive self-reported data:
(1) A feature for users to disclose how much they pay for stand-alone or bundled broadband service.
(2) A feature for users to identify the internet service provider to which they subscribe for broadband service.
(3) A feature for users to disclose the maximum speed for broadband service to which they subscribe.
(4) A feature that allows individuals to refute the broadband speed or technology, or both, that an internet service provider claims to offer at an address.
(5) A feature that allows individuals to identify barriers to broadband access.
(c) The features and self-reported data required pursuant to subdivisions (b) and (h) shall be made publicly available and expressed at the address for which the data was submitted. The commission shall obtain consent from an individual before publicly disclosing information that the individual submits pursuant to subdivision (b) or (h).
(d) The commission may collect from providers of broadband services information necessary to establish and update the map required pursuant to this section.
(e) The commission shall also create a notification feature on the map for individuals. Using this feature, an individual may sign up to be notified when updates are made to the map.
(f) The commission may collect information from providers of broadband services at the address level.
(g) The commission shall not, pursuant to subdivision (a), (d), or (e), disclose residential subscriber information protected by Section 2891.
(h) The map required pursuant to subdivision (a) shall include a feature for users to submit a verified speed test at their location.
(i) The commission shall not accept information collected by the commission pursuant to subdivisions (b) and (c) as evidence in a commission proceeding unless the commission validates the accuracy of the self-reported information.
(j) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) “Broadband” has the same meaning as defined in Section 5830.
(2) “Verified speed test” means a broadband speed performance test result that was measured and verified using a reputable application specified by the commission for that purpose.
(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 645, Sec. 1. (AB 286) Effective January 1, 2024.)
2023 California Code › Public Utilities Code - PUC › DIVISION 1 - REGULATION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES › PART 1 - PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT › CHAPTER 1.5 - Advisory Boards › Section 282.

282. Any moneys that are deposited in funds created pursuant to this chapter shall not be used by the state for any purpose other than as specified in this chapter. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Controller may use the funds created pursuant to this chapter for loans to the General Fund as provided in Sections 16310 and 16381 of the Government Code and, upon approval of the Director of Finance, moneys deposited in funds created pursuant to this chapter may be used to make transfers as loans to other funds created pursuant to this chapter.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 115, Sec. 75. (AB 148) Effective July 22, 2021.)