FINAL BILL REPORT
HB 1287
C 267 L 01
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Extending the prohibition on mandatory local measured telecommunications service.
Sponsors: By Representatives Reardon, Delvin, Hunt, Ruderman, Campbell, Simpson, McIntire, Crouse, Casada, Hankins, Doumit, Mielke, Bush, Quall, Cooper, Haigh, Skinner, Ballasiotes, Morris, Woods, DeBolt, Lambert, O'Brien, Tokuda, Pennington, Hatfield, Fisher, Eickmeyer, Ericksen, Ahern, Anderson, Pflug, Schindler, Dunshee, Ogden, Veloria, Grant, Morell, Romero, Kenney, Schoesler, Barlean, Keiser, Cody, Roach, Miloscia, Dickerson, Esser, Conway, Murray, Edmonds, Edwards, Kessler, Linville, D. Schmidt, Jackley, Hurst, Kagi and Van Luven.
House Committee on Technology, Telecommunications & Energy
Senate Committee on Economic Development & Telecommunications
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 of paying 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 factors such as the time of day, length of call, and distance of the call.
Telecommunications service providers file tariffs or price lists with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC). In 1984 the Legislature temporarily prohibited the WUTC from approving telecommunications tariffs that include mandatory local measured service. The prohibition also does not apply to mobile services, pay telephone services, or to any other service that has traditionally been offered on a measured basis.
The prohibition has been extended a few times, most recently in 1998, and is set to expire June 1, 2001.
Summary:
The prohibition on mandatory local measured service is extended until June 1, 2004.
Votes on Final Passage:
House980
Senate490(Senate amended)
House930(House concurred)
Effective: May 11, 2001