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Committee advances SB 269 to modernize carrier-of-last-resort rules; sponsors and Lumen representative say bill clarifies obligations
Summary
Senate Bill 269, technical telecommunications amendments updating carrier-of-last-resort rules and allowing modernization while preserving existing service until replacements are available, passed the committee unanimously and was placed on the consent calendar.
Senator Harper introduced Senate Bill 269, described as a technical update to the state's carrier-of-last-resort guidelines intended to modernize an older section of code and coordinate state oversight with telecommunications providers. "This bill is very technical in its nature," Harper said, and he described the objective as ensuring the Public Service Commission works with carriers to improve statewide service while preventing disconnections until replacement service is available.
Harper said the bill does not change obligations under federal law and does not directly address broadband; he described the measure as clarifying state rules so incumbent providers and newer technologies can provide better service. When Representative Dominguez asked whether broadband was included, the sponsor answered, "No. This does not deal with broadband. It eliminates some antiquated provisions of the code. So broadband and other technologies... can go in, including satellite or whatever is applicable." That clarification was part of the committee exchange.
Tim Kunkleman, regional director of government affairs for Lumen Technologies, testified in support, thanking Senator Harper for convening stakeholders and describing the bill as the product of robust discussions. "I am here in support of senate bill 269," Kunkleman said, and he thanked the sponsor for bringing stakeholders together.
Representative Watkins moved to pass SB 269 out of committee with a favorable recommendation. The sponsor summarized that multiple telecom companies, including incumbents and newer providers, had worked on the bill and the change should improve telecommunications services in the state. The committee voted and the chair announced the motion passed unanimously. Members then moved to place SB 269 on the consent calendar; that motion also passed without objection.
The legislation, as discussed in committee, focuses on carrier-of-last-resort provisions and the state's administrative framework and does not itself reassign federal obligations. The committee record shows stakeholder engagement from incumbent carriers and provider representatives; no public commenters opposed the bill in the committee hearing.
