H-3648.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 2914
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 56th Legislature 2000 Regular Session
By Representatives Poulsen, Bush, Ruderman, Morris, DeBolt, Reardon, Kastama, Cooper and Veloria
Read first time 01/24/2000. Referred to Committee on Technology, Telecommunications & Energy.
AN ACT Relating to telecommunications customers; adding new sections to chapter 43.10 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 80.36 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that as the state approaches telecommunications deregulation, telecommunications customers are in need of access to clear pricing information concerning voice grade telecommunications services.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The attorney general shall establish and manage an internet site that serves as a central information clearinghouse for telecommunications information. The clearinghouse shall convey telecommunications information to the public in an easily ascertainable format. The information shall include, without limitation, information about telecommunications calling plans and pricing for technologies that permit voice and data telecommunications.
The attorney general may contract with a private entity or entities to carry out the requirements of this section.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The central information clearinghouse created in section 2 of this act shall contain, at a minimum, information concerning the following: Residential and business calling plans; interstate long distance and intrastate long-distance calling plans; interlata and intralata calling plans; dial-around plans; billing increments; applicable variances in costs by time of day or otherwise; activation or installation fees; monthly charges; and periodic minimum costs.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. In order to establish and maintain the central information clearinghouse created in section 2 of this act, the attorney general may receive certain information from the commission. The commission shall provide, and maintain the accuracy of descriptions of, the following information to the attorney general: Federal and state surcharges and fees; federal and state universal service charges and fees; an explanation of the alternative titles used by companies to identify these charges and fees on telephone bills; and information where a customer can file a complaint.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. (1) Sections 2 and 3 of this act are each added to chapter 43.10 RCW.
(2) Section 4 of this act is added to chapter 80.36 RCW.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.
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