| TO: | Honorable Byron Cook, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs |
| FROM: | John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB2620 by Hancock (Relating to communications services and markets.), As Introduced |
The bill would amend the Utilities Code to define Internet Protocol enabled service and Voice over Internet Protocol service. The bill would prohibit a state agency from imposing any rule or regulation on Voice over Internet Protocol services or other Internet Protocol Services. The bill would eliminate tariff filing requirements for certain telecommunications providers. The bill also prohibits the Public Utility Commission (PUC) from ordering a telecommunications provider to provide mandatory or optional extended area service to additional metropolitan areas or calling areas, and prohibits the PUC from ordering an expansion of toll free local calling areas. The bill would also specify that a deregulated company may not be required to comply with retail quality of service standards or file earnings reports with the PUC. The bill would require the PUC to adopt rules to implement the provisions of the bill.
Based on the analysis of the PUC, it is assumed duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by utilizing existing resources.
| Source Agencies: | 473 Public Utility Commission of Texas
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| LBB Staff: | JOB, KJG, RAN, KKR
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