Sen. McGuire’s Bill to Ensure Telecommunications in Emergencies

SACRAMENTO, Ca. (KIEM) -North Coast State Senator Mike McGuire is asking for telecommunication companies to provide a backup power source when cell phones, cable and or landlines go down.

S-B 431 was introduced last year and Bay Area Senator Steve Glazer introduced amendments to the bill today that would add cable service providers to the list of companies required to have backup power.

They also want to increase the time that backup power lasts to at least 72 hours.

The bill will now head to the Assembly Committee on Communications.