HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2525

As Amended by the Senate

BYRepresentatives Miller, Jacobsen, Nelson and May; by request of Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission

Limiting regulation of radio communications services.

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Nelson, Chair; H. Myers, Vice Chair; Hankins, Ranking Republican Member; Bennett, Brooks, Cooper, Jacobsen, Jesernig, May, R. Meyers and S. Wilson.

House Staff:Fred Adair (786-7113)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 5, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Radio communications service companies were deregulated in 1985. These companies provide cellular telecommunications and paging services.  Because of the definitions used, radio communications services provided by regulated telecommunications companies not using a separate subsidiary remain regulated.  This arrangement creates an unequal regulatory structure and needlessly adds to regulatory paperwork.  It appears that the market for these services is competitive.

In some isolated instances, radios are used to link rural customers into local exchange telecommunications service. These instances likely are not a competitive situation.

SUMMARY:

Radio communications services are deregulated except for radio communications services provided by a regulated telecommunications company which are the only voice grade, local exchange telecommunications service available to a customer of the company.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENTS:  The Senate amendments make clear that the commission will have authority to regulate radio communications that provide the only voice grade, local exchange service.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Raymond Day and Tony Cook, Utilities and Transportation Commission.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The change will even the regulatory structure, remove regulation where competition exists among radio communications service companies, and eliminate needless regulatory work.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 93; Excused 5

Excused:    Representatives Ferguson, Fraser, Haugen, Prince, Smith