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Committee advances omnibus accessibility bill and a Los Angeles homelessness hotline; both bills referred for fiscal review
Summary
The Communications and Conveyance Committee approved AB 1532, a committee omnibus bill extending and clarifying funding and oversight for existing public‑purpose telecom programs, and AB 654, authorizing Los Angeles County to operate a dedicated homelessness response telephone line. Both measures were sent to fiscal committees for further review.
The California State Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee on Thursday cleared two additional measures: AB 1532, an omnibus committee bill that extends funding and adds CPUC accountability provisions for public‑purpose telecommunications programs, and AB 654, authorizing Los Angeles County to establish a dedicated homelessness response telephone system.
AB 1532, presented by Chair Tasha Boerner as a committee bill, would extend funding and surcharge authority for existing programs including the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program and the TNC Access for All program (which funds accessible rides). The bill also includes provisions asking the California Public Utilities Commission to adopt rules for commissioner attendance at hearings and to appear before the Legislature on request.
Boerner said the bill would not raise costs on consumers and described the accountability measures as narrowly tailored. The committee had no witnesses in opposition on the record and moved the bill forward to the Committee on Utilities and Energy with a due‑pass recommendation; members left the bill on call to add additional recorded votes.
AB 654, authored by Assemblymember Patrick Colosa, would authorize Los Angeles County to create a centralized phone line managed by a direct‑service provider to connect people experiencing homelessness with shelter, mental health treatment, outreach and other services. Colosa said Los Angeles County has over 75,000 people experiencing homelessness per the most recent count and that a dedicated response line would provide a focused resource for residents seeking assistance.
The committee accepted a due‑pass motion for AB 654 and referred the bill to Appropriations; a few committee members indicated they wanted more information before finalizing their votes, and the chair held the roll open briefly for add‑ons.
Ending: Both bills advanced from the Communications and Conveyance Committee to the legislature’s fiscal committees for additional review. Expect follow‑up amendments and negotiations as fiscal staff assess budgetary impacts and as local agencies weigh operational responsibilities.
Votes at a glance: AB 1532 was moved as a committee bill and referred to Utilities and Energy; AB 654 was moved to Appropriations. The committee roll calls recorded multiple ayes for both measures and left both bills on call for additional recorded votes.
