SRC-AAA S.B. 989 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 989
By: Nelson
Economic Development
4-28-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, local governments separately contract with each provider for
9-1-1 collections and hold every provider accountable for the proper
installation and operation of 9-1-1 service.  The existing arrangement
places an excessive burden on local governments and threatens the
integrity of the 9-1-1 emergency system.  This bill would require an
area's dominant local exchange carrier to be solely responsible for
supervising and directing the installation, operation, and maintenance of
9-1-1 emergency service among the various telecommunication vendors. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 989 requires an area's dominant local exchange carrier
to be solely responsible for supervising and directing the installation,
operation, and maintenance of 9-1-1 emergency service among the various
telecommunication vendors. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 772, Health and Safety Code, by adding
Subchapter F, as follows: 

SUBCHAPTER F.  9-1-1 SERVICE

Sec. 772.501. DEFINITIONS. Defines "certificated telecommunications
utility," "dominant carrier," "dominant certificated telecommunications
utility," "local exchange company," "91-1 service," "nondominant
certificated telecommunications utility," "private switch," "private
switch provider," " public agency," and "service user." 

Sec. 772.502. 9-1-1 SERVICE. Requires a dominant certificated
telecommunications utility to take certain actions and be responsible for
certain tasks.  Prohibits a public agency from being required to serve as
a customer of a local exchange company or otherwise be responsible for the
provision of 9-1-1 service other than as the public safety answering
point. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.