Today, June 9th, the California State Assembly Committee on Local Government will vote on SB-556, a telecom corporation-backed bill that, if passed, would severely limit local governments' ability to say ‘no’ to a 5G cell tower being installed near your home.
Hearing Call-in Instructions Wednesday, June 9, 2021 @ 1:30pm PST Call-in Number: (877) 692-8957 (PIN: 13154202)
Step 1 - Call the number listed above and insert the PIN number provided.
Step 2 - Upon calling in, you will be placed in a “waiting room” where you will be muted. You can listen to the Committee hearing as you wait. It is essential that you mute the device upon which you are watching or listening to the Committee hearing. There is an approximate 40 second time lag between the phone and videostream. To stay in real time, and to know when you are prompted to give testimony, you must listen to the hearing on your phone and not follow the live video. Step 3 - When the Committee moves to public comment, a moderator will ask for anyone who wishes to testify in “Support” of the bill to press 1-0. The moderator will then ask for those waiting in “Opposition." When the Committee moves to hear opposition, press 1-0 when you are prompted to do so by the moderator. DO NOT press 1-0 until the proper position has been asked for. Step 4 - When you press 1-0 on your phone, wait until an operator assigns you a line number. Once you are assigned a line number, you will be placed in the queue for identification. Remember your line number! The moderator will call out your assigned number to identify you when it is your turn to testify. Step 5 - When the moderator calls your line number, your line will be opened. At that time, you may address the Committee. You must have your own phone unmuted before you begin testifying. Step 6 - You are only given a few seconds to speak. Simply state your name, where you live and/or the organization you represent, and that you oppose SB-556. Here is an example of perfect testimony: "My name is Joe Smith. I live in Moraga, California. I strongly oppose SB-556." Important Notes:
-Please do not testify using speakerphone or Bluetooth as this can cause acoustic feedback and may make it difficult to hear your testimony. -Every time you press 1-0 you will toggle yourself into or out of the queue. Please listen carefully and press 1-0 only once when you are prompted by the moderator.
If you have yet to call every member of the Committee on Local Government, please do so before 1pm PST today.
Note: We have been getting reports that some office mailboxes are full or are not taking messages. If you call an office and experience difficulty getting through, please call the Assembly members' district office phone number. To find the district office phone number, simply click on the Assembly member's name on the left side of the screen here, and you will automatically be redirected to his/her website. Under the 'contact me' section on each page, you will find the members' district office contact information.
California State Assembly Committee on Local Government Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (Chair): 916-319-2004 Tom Lackey (Vice Chair): 916-319-2036 Richard Bloom: 916-319-2050 Tasha Boerner Horvath: 916-319-2076 James C. Ramos: 916-319-2040 Luz M. Rivas: 916-319-2039 Robert Rivas: 916-319-2030 Randy Voepel: 619-258-7737
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Sample SB-556 Caller Script:
Hi there, My name is _______ and I am a California resident. I am calling today to express my strong opposition to SB-556. SB-556 further undermines local control over the siting of wireless telecommunications equipment in public rights-of-way, does nothing to address the digital divide, and tips the scale in favor of telecom corporations' interests over community interests. Please log my opposition to this bill. Thank you!
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