HCS HB 495 -- LOCAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS (Parson)

COMMITTEE OF ORIGIN:  Committee on Energy and Environment

This substitute changes the laws regarding local exchange voice
telecommunications carriers.  In its main provisions, the
substitute:

(1)  Relieves a local exchange carrier from its obligation to
provide basic local voice telecommunications service to a
greenfield area if the owner or developer of the property:

(a)  Allows an alternative service provider to install, based on
the condition of exclusion of the local exchange carrier,
facilities or equipment to provide local voice telecommunications
service;

(b)  Accepts or agrees to accept incentives or rewards from an
alternative service provider that are contingent upon the
provision of any or all local voice telecommunications services
by alternative service providers to the exclusion of the local
exchange carrier; or

(c)  Collects from the occupants or residents of the property
charges for the provision of any local voice telecommunications
service provided by an alternative service provider including
collection through rent, fees, or dues;

(2)  Requires, if a local exchange carrier is relieved of its
carrier of last resort obligation, the owner or developer of the
property to notify the occupants of the property and any
subsequent owners that the incumbent local exchange carrier does
not have facilities installed to serve their property and the
name of the person who will be providing the local communications
service;

(3)  Specifies that when a local exchange carrier is relieved of
its carrier of last resort obligation to serve in a designated
area, in no instance will the obligation be transferred to any
alternative service provider or provider of local voice service,
including interconnected voice over Internet protocol service in
that designated service area;

(4)  Allows a local exchange carrier that is not automatically
relieved of its obligation to seek a waiver of its obligation
from the Missouri Public Service Commission if other local voice
telecommunications service is available on the property; and

(5)  Specifies the requirements and procedures for
re-establishing the obligation of local telecommunications
service by a local exchange carrier if the conditions that
terminated the obligation cease.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2010, FY 2011, and
FY 2012.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:25 am