SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2526

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

Revising provisions for registration of telecommunication companies.

House Committe on Energy & Utilities

Senate Committee on Energy & Utilities

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 16, 1990; February 22, 1990; February 23, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Benitz, Chairman; Bluechel, Vice Chairman; Metcalf, Nelson, Owen, Patrick, Stratton, Sutherland, Williams.

Senate Staff:Phil Moeller (786-7455)

                  February 23, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES, FEBRUARY 23, 1990

BACKGROUND:

New telecommunications companies are required to register with the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) before beginning operations.  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 simplify paper flow and streamline the process.

SUMMARY:

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

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENTS:

The committee adopted a striking amendment.

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

An alternate operator services telecommunication company must register with the UTC before providing service in the state.  Penalties are provided for alternative operator service companies that provide service without being registered.  The UTC may adopt rules providing for minimum service levels relating to alternate operator service companies.

Technical references to applying the Consumer Protection Act are corrected.

Senate Committee - Testified: Steve Wehrly, MCI; Dale Vincent, US West; Jack Doyle, WITA; T. K. Bentler, US Sprint; Hal Lincoln, CONTEL; Raymond R. Day, Jr., WUTC; Tony Cook, WUTC; A. J. Pardini, WUTC; Dick Casad, WUTC