RCRC has lent its support to Assembly Member Jim Wood’s (D-Healdsburg) Assembly Bill 1959, which seeks to extend the state’s universal service and telecommunications programs that help support rural Californians’ access to affordable advance communication services.  

AB 1959 would extend the sunset date for both the California High-Cost Fund-A (CHCF-A) and the California High-Cost Fund B (CHCF-B) in order to continue to provide affordable basic telephone service to rural California.  Both the CHCF-A and the CHCF-B were established to subsidize both small independent telephone companies and large telephone corporations to provide service in the rural and smaller metropolitan communities. These subsidies, paid for by surcharges on telephone bills, promote the goal of universal service by providing reasonable rates for basic telephone service in many rural and hard-to-reach areas of the State. The authorization for the collection of fees and management of the CHCF programs expires on January 1, 2019.  AB 1959 would extend the authorization for this important program through January 1, 2023.

Ms. Rhine’s support letter can be accessed here.  Ms. Rhine can be reached at (916) 447-4806 or trhine@rcrcnet.org.