Communications infrastructure.

Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including telephone corporations. Pursuant to its existing authority, the commission supervises administration of the state's telecommunications universal service programs. Existing law, the Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act of 2006, establishes a procedure for the issuance of state franchises for the provision of video service, defined to include cable service and open-video systems, administered by the commission. This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to improve communications infrastructure and access and to specifically address the resources servicing low-income and disadvantaged communities.