SRC-AAA S.B. 1915 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1915
By: Sibley
Economic Development
4-10-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, there is a discrepancy between the treatment of rural telephone
companies under the Public Utility Regulatory Act of 1995 and the Federal
Telecommunications Act of 1996.  This discrepancy may lead to disputes
regarding treatment of rural telephone companies as the industry becomes
more competitive.  This bill seeks to conform the state and federal laws
to treat rural telephone companies the same under both laws.
Additionally, this bill grants the Public Utility Commission a waiver for
the repayment of equipment costs associated with implementing an
electronic access system which was established in the General
Appropriations Act of the 74th Legislature. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1915 seeks to conform the state and federal laws to
treat rural telephone companies the same under both laws.  Additionally,
this bill grants the Public Utility Commission a waiver for the repayment
of equipment costs associated with implementing an electronic access
system which was established in the General Appropriations Act of the 74th
Legislature. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 1.034 (Public Utility Regulatory Act of 1995),
Article 1446c-0, V.T.C.S., to authorize the Public Utility Commission of
Texas (commission) to establish a system to provide electronic access to
information that is stored in computer banks.  Sets forth the requirements
of the system. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 3.002, Article 1446c-0, V.T.C.S., by adding
Subdivision (13), to define "rural telephone company." 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 3.213, Article 1446c-0, V.T.C.S., to entitle a
rural telephone company to be treated as a small incumbent local exchange
company described by Subsection (b) of this section, but only if the rural
telephone company has fewer than 31,000 access lines in service in this
state. 

SECTION 4. Amends Title IIIE, Article 1446c-0, V.T.C.S., by adding Section
3.2133, as follows: 

Sec. 3.2133. RURAL TELEPHONE COMPANIES.  Requires the commission to apply
to a rural telephone company, the duties, and the exemptions to and
suspensions and modifications of the duties, provided by 47 U.S.C.
Sections 251(a)-(c) and (f). 

SECTION 5. Amends Section 3.608, Article 1446c-0, V.T.C.S., to require the
commission to treat a rural telephone company, regardless of the number of
access lines served by the company, in the same manner it treats an
incumbent local exchange company serving fewer than 31,000 access lines in
this state or a telephone cooperative corporation, for the purposes of
applying rules and otherwise administering this section.  Deletes the term
"rural" to allow Universal  Service Fund assistance to local exchange
companies providing service in all high cost areas. 
 
SECTION 6. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.