The Tex. legislative committee that will play a key role in passi...

Committee report calls for more rate-setting flexibility for providers and equal regulatory treatment for telecom providers regardless of the technology they use. State Rep. Phil King (R), committee chmn., said the main goal of a new Tex. telecom act “is to make sure that we can continue to help the industry move out of a regulated industry into a market-based industry,” while still providing an “appropriate” level of consumer protection. King’s committee spent several months in 2004 in hearings on new telecom legislation to replace the current state telecom act that expires this year. The panel also called for reducing intrastate access charges over a reasonable but defined time span, prohibiting PUC regulation of broadband and Internet services, and blocking municipalities from competing in wireless Internet access. The panel also called for restricting state universal service support to a single line, without any optional vertical services. SBC said it could support legislation that allowed retail markets to be as price competitive as possible, so that the markets will pick the winners and losers. Its competitors said any deregulation bill must give rivals a fair opportunity to compete in all markets and treat all providers equally with regard to state and local taxes and govt. fees. Consumer groups complained that they've been left out of the legislative discussions. Some consumer advocates said the legislature should just extend the current law 2 years without change because Congress and the FCC may establish an entirely new national telecom playing. Meanwhile, a new bill in Va. (HB-1765) would require the state Dept. of Corrections to provide telephone debit card systems to jail and prison inmates, good only on calls to the home of the inmate’s family. The systems would offer the lowest available commercial rates and there would be no time limit on calls. The limitation would be the debit account balance. The system would be an addition to the collect calling system now used. A new car phone safety bill in Conn. (SB-51) would prohibit motorists from using handheld cell phones while driving, except in emergencies. Violators would face a $75 fine. A bill in N.D. (SB-10) would rename the N.D. Rural Development Telecom Network Agency the Digital Dakota Network. The agency’s mission would expand to include creation of a statewide telecom network providing cost-effective voice, video and data services for education, govt. and rural economic development.