WSR 98-05-055

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION

COMMISSION

[Filed February 13, 1998, 4:24 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Rules relating to prepaid telecommunications services. Provisions that might be affected include those currently codified in WAC 480-121-040 (2)(b). Other provisions relating to this topic might also be affected. Docket No. UT-971469.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 80.01.040(4) and 80.36.520.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Competition in the telecommunications industry has resulted in a number of new telecommunications services, such as debit cards. Many of these services require customers to make payment prior to provision of service. With the advent of these services the commission did not have rules specifically designed to protect consumers advanced payments; to establish and monitor adequate financial resources of telecommunications companies; ensure adequate disclosure to consumers; and ensure adequate access to carrier. The current practice is to put conditions in companies registration orders to address these issues. The intent of this preproposal inquiry is to work with stakeholders to review current guidelines for reasonableness, examine changes that might be needed, and recommend reasonable regulations to meet the needs.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study; and the commission will call for written comments, and may provide the opportunity for additional written comments. The commission will schedule at least one informal workshop with interested persons in a manner designed to develop consensus regarding any rule proposal.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested persons may contact the Secretary, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504-7250, (360) 664-1174, FAX (360) 586-1150.

Written Comments: Written comments in response to the CR-101 from persons interested in the subject matter of this proposed rule making may be filed with the commission secretary, referencing Docket No. UT-971469, not later than March 18, 1998. All commenters are asked, but not required, to file an original and ten copies of their written comments. The commission also requests, but does not require, that comments be provided on a 3 1/2 inch IBM formatted high-density disk, in WordPerfect version 5.1, 6.0 or 6.1, labeled with the docket number of this proceeding and the commenter's name and type of software used. The commission may offer additional opportunities to provide written comments. Interested persons may file additional written comments in response to any such invitation. Interested persons may also attend and participate in the workshop described below and in any other workshop that may be scheduled. The commission will provide written notice of any additional preproposal workshops to all commenters and to any other persons specifically asking to receive notice in this rule-making proceeding.

Notice of Workshop: A workshop will be held on May 26, 1998, beginning at 9:30 a.m., in the Commission's Hearing Room, Second Floor, Chandler Plaza, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, WA.

to continue receiving notices and information about this rule making--The commission wants to ensure its mailings are sent to persons who are interested in the topic and want to receive that information. any person who comments will continue to receive notices and information. If you do not submit comments but wish to remain on the mailing list for this rule making, please advise the records center by any one of the following methods: (1) Send a note with your name, address (or a copy of your mailing label), and telephone and FAX numbers referencing Docket No. UT-971469, and the words "Please keep me on the mailing list"; or (2) e-mail your name, address, telephone and FAX numbers, referencing Docket No. UT-971469, and the words "Please keep me on the mailing list" to records@wutc.wa.gov. Please note that all information in the mailings will be accessible through the commission's Internet website at <http://www.wutc.wa.gov/>. those parties who do not respond may not receive further mailings or information on the rule making.

February 11, 1998

Terrence Stapleton

for Paul Curl