FINAL BILL REPORT

                 ESHB 1461

                     Synopsis as Enacted

                         C 311 L 93

Brief Description:  Extending the prohibition on mandatory local measured service.

By House Committee on Energy & Utilities (originally sponsored by Representatives Kremen, Miller, Jacobsen and Long).

House Committee on Energy & Utilities

Senate Committee on Energy & Utilities

Background:  Most telephone customers in Washington pay a flat monthly rate for local telephone service.  Many of the local exchange companies offer their customers the option to pay for local calls on a per call basis.  This practice is commonly known as local measured service.  Under this option, the telephone customer pays a lower monthly rate and then pays for the calls actually made, based on the time of day, length of call, and in some cases, the distance of the call.

In 1985, the Legislature prohibited the Utilities and Transportation Commission from approving telecommunications tariffs which include mandatory local measured service.  The prohibition has been extended twice since then and is currently set to expire June 1, 1993.  The prohibition does not apply to mobile services, pay telephone services, or to any other service which has traditionally been offered on a measured basis.

Summary:  The prohibition on Utilities and Transportation Commission approval of a telecommunications tariff for mandatory local measured service is extended to June 1, 1998.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  98 0

Senate 46 0

Effective:  May 12, 1993