House Passes Landline Services Bill

The Michigan House of Representatives passed SB 636 on Tuesday, which would eliminate the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) role in approving a telephone provider to abandon an exchange. The Senate has concurred with the House changes, so the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) will become the sole regulator. This will streamline the process of allowing telephone companies to drop landline services.

The legislation, which would not go into effect until 2017, contains provisions requiring voice lines to remain available and for a reliable and comparable service to 911 to exist before landline service ends. A substitute adopted on the House floor requires the PSC to maintain a public database on providers in the state. The substitute also requires providers post various notices at least 90 days before discontinuing the service.

The bill cleared the Senate floor and the House Energy and Technology Committee in December. The Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police opposed the bill due to concerns on reliability for seniors and in rural areas. Representative Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan) opposed the bill, citing unreliable cell service in his community. He said he can see the cell phone tower from his house but still can’t make calls at times. Representative Aric Nesbitt, Chair of the House Energy and Technology Committee, said the bill ensures reliability before a landline service would be dropped.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, March 14, 2014 11:52 AM
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