Communications: California Advanced Services Fund.

Existing law vests the Public Utilities Commission with regulatory authority over public utilities, including telephone corporations. Existing law requires the commission to develop, implement, and administer the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) to encourage deployment of high-quality advanced communications services to all Californians that will promote economic growth, job creation, and the substantial social benefits of advanced information and communications technologies. Existing law authorizes the commission to impose a surcharge, until December 31, 2032, to collect up to $150,000,000 per year for deposit into the CASF. Existing law requires the commission to establish specified accounts within the CASF, including the Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account and the Federal Funding Account, as specified. This bill would expressly authorize otherwise eligible wireless broadband service providers to apply for and receive funding from the Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account and the Federal Funding Account, as provided. The bill would specify that the changes made by the bill do not require the commission to initiate or reopen any proceeding as a result of the bill.