125th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1784		LR 2707(03)
	An Act To Reform Telecommunications Regulation
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Engrossed with: C "A" (H-869)
	Committee: Energy, Utilities and Technology
Fiscal Note
Minor cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	The bill provides a new regulatory structure for the telephone industry. It establishes a regulated basic local flat-rate dial-tone service called the provider of last resort. Such providers will continue to be regulated as public utilities, with some modifications relative to present law. Local exchange carriers also remain subject to Commission jurisdiction to the extent that their federal interconnection rights and obligations are regulated or overseen by the Commission. All other telephone service providers remain unregulated or are largely deregulated. Certain provisions are intended to apply to some of these entities, including provisions relating to certain assessment, granting certain rights to build lines in public roadways and across waters and provisions relating to joint use of facilities. A number of obsolete provisions of law are repealed entirely, as are provisions not in conformity with the regulatory structure established by this bill. The bill will lead to a minor increase in costs to the Public Utilities Commission that can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.