SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6838

BYSenator Sutherland

Concerning charges for toll message calls.

Senate Committee on Energy & Utilities

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 1, 1990

Senate Staff:David Monthie (786-7198)

AS OF JANUARY 31, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Existing regulations of the Utilities and Transportation Commission entitle customers of telephone companies to an itemized bill that sets out separately any charges for toll calls.  The regulations prescribe a procedure that must be followed in the event of a dispute between a telephone company and a subscriber.  Where there is a need for corrective action, the company is required to take the action as soon as possible.  Where there are overcharges, the company is required to refund them to the subscriber.  If a dispute is not resolved, the subscriber has the right to bring it to the UTC by a formal or informal complaint, and have the matter resolved by a commission order.

Some telephone customers in this state have been told that some long-distance toll charges may have been billed to them by telephone companies that are not sure that any such calls were made by that particular customer.  These billings are apparently based on such circumstances as the area from which the call originated or to which the call was made.  A customer being billed for such calls has no way of knowing the reason for the billing without reviewing each toll call on the telephone bill and contacting the company to dispute having made any particular call.

SUMMARY:

Telecommunications companies may not charge or demand payment for any toll message call without evidence of a specific call having been placed, unless the bill identifies any call as to which there is some question as to its origin.  If the commission finds that a company has incorrectly charged for such a call, it may order a refund and a credit for the amount.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    requested January 31, 1990