Bill Text: HI HB1868 | 2012 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Telecommunications; Rates; Basic Exchange Service

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2012-04-27 - (S) Became law without the Governor's signature, Act 074, 4/25/2012, (Gov. Msg. No. 1175). [HB1868 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2012-HB1868-Amended.html

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2923

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 1868

       H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Economic Development and Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 1868, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Define "basic exchange service" as those services consisting of single-line dial tone, touch-tone dialing, access to operator service, access to enhanced 911, telecommunications relay service, telephone directory, and access to directory-assistance service via 411 dialing; and

 

     (2)  Make basic exchange service the only type of retail telecommunications service for which a telecommunications carrier must obtain approval from the Public Utilities Commission to charge a rate higher than the filed tariff rate.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaiian Telcom.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Consumer Advocate.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Public Utilities Commission and TW Telcom Inc.

 

     Your Committee finds that under this measure a telecommunications carrier may adjust a rate for any retail telecommunications service, other than basic exchange service, that is higher than the current filed tariff rate for that service without approval from the Public Utilities Commission.  The current Public Utilities Commission approval requirement for any increase in rates to retail telecommunications basic exchange service, such as single line residence and business service and access to 911 and operator services, remains the same.  Your Committee further finds that this measure will continue the State's effort to level the regulatory playing field in retail telecommunications services and ensure that Hawaii's telecommunications marketplace remains vibrant and strong for Hawaii consumers.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1868, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development and Technology,

 

		____________________________ CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair