FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 6510

                              C 10 L 90

BYSenators Benitz, Bluechel and Williams; by request of Utilities and Transportation Commission

Revising provisions for registration of telecommunication companies.

Senate Committee on Energy & Utilities

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

New telecommunications companies are required to register with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) before beginning operations.  A company may then petition to have its services classified as competitive--a classification that involves less WUTC regulation.  Currently, a company must be registered before it can petition to have its services classified as competitive.  This requires two separate dockets to be maintained for what are usually routine proceedings.

Allowing a company to apply for registration and petition for competitive classification at the same time would streamline the process.

SUMMARY:

A telecommunications company may petition for competitive classification at the same time it applies for registration.  The WUTC may rule on both requests in the same proceeding.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   46    0

     House 97  0

EFFECTIVE:June 7, 1990