(1) Existing law authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to regulate telecommunications services and rates of telephone corporations, except to the extent regulation is preempted by federal law. Existing law generally requires an entity offering the services of telephone prepaid debit cards to register with the commission. An unregistered entity is prohibited from offering the services of telephone prepaid debit cards.
Other existing law regulating the advertising and sale of prepaid calling cards and services requires a company that sells prepaid calling cards and services to follow certain standards and requirements for consumer disclosure and services.
This bill would authorize the commission to enforce the standards and requirements for consumer disclosure and services applicable to sellers of prepaid calling cards and services.
(2) Under existing law, a violation of the Public Utilities Act or an order or direction of the commission is a crime. Because this bill would be part of the act and authorize an order or other action of the commission to implement its provisions and a violation of that order or action would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program by expanding the definition of a crime.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.