Z-1319.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 6453

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      54th Legislature     1996 Regular Session

By Senators Sutherland, McAuliffe, Finkbeiner, Oke and Winsley; by request of Governor Lowry

Read first time 01/15/96.  Referred to Committee on Energy, Telecommunications & Utilities.

Allowing phone companies and other information providers to include listings for elective officials in their directories free of charge.

    AN ACT Relating to improving access to state government; adding a new section to chapter 80.36 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  In order to be involved in the democratic process and receive services provided by elected officials, citizens need access to their elected officials.  The legislature finds that the rates charged by telecommunications companies for directory assistance to obtain telephone numbers for offices of elected officials create a barrier for citizens living outside cities in which the offices of elected officials are located.  The legislature finds that the need by some citizens to utilize directory assistance to obtain telephone listings for elected officials' offices has a disparate impact on access to elected officials.  The legislature finds that efforts to equalize access to elected officials is in the public interest and consistent with efforts by the utilities and transportation commission to implement universal service in telecommunications services.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 80.36 RCW to read as follows:

    Notwithstanding another provision of this title, telecommunications companies and information service providers may include listings for offices of elected officials in their directories at no charge.

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