HB 1440 - DIGEST

     Declares an intent that modification of state telecommunications regulation shall achieve the following goals:  (1) Ensure that all citizens and businesses have reasonable access to a modern telecommunications network to the benefit of all telecommunications ratepayers in the state;

     (2) protect consumers by maintaining prices for noncompetitive telecommunications services at affordable levels;

     (3) facilitate the development of an advanced telecommunications and information services infrastructure in rural, insular, and high-cost locations so that the benefits of competition in telecommunications, advanced telecommunications, and information services, as contemplated by the federal telecommunications act of 1996, P.L. 104-104, reach not only urban areas but also other areas of the state on a reasonably comparable and timely basis;

     (4) minimize reliance upon implicit subsidies for universal service by maximizing reliance upon explicit subsidies through explicit contributions to a universal service fund; and

     (5) accelerate innovation and promotion of telecommunications competition by providing a new alternative to rate-based, rate-of-return regulation and by strengthening enforcement of interconnection agreements and removing other barriers to competitive entry.

     Repeals RCW 80.36.600 and 80.36.620.