124th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 127		LR 427(02)
	An Act To Prohibit Telephone Line-item Charges Not Representing Services Requested by the Customer or Required by Law
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "   "
	Committee: Utilities and Energy
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Minor cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill prohibits a telephone utility from including line item charges on a phone bill unless those charges are required by the federal or state law or requested by the customer. Further the bill grants authority to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to assess an administrative penalty of up to $1000 per violation for noncompliance with the new line item restrictions.  The PUC has the discretion to assess the penalty based upon severity of the violation, the company's historical compliance, good faith attempts to comply after being notified of the violation and other conditions. At this time, the PUC does not project any revenue from fines.  Additional costs to the PUC associated with rulemaking can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources.  This bill does not limit any enforcement action or penalty pursued by the Attorney General under the Unfair Trade Practices Act.