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Senate unanimously advances telecom pricing-flexibility and PSC timeline bill, House Bill 338
Summary
House Bill 338, revising the price index application and creating a streamlined Public Service Commission process for granting pricing flexibility, passed the Utah Senate unanimously (29-0) and was sent to the third-reading calendar.
SALT LAKE CITY — Senators on Feb. 28 moved House Bill 338 forward to the Senate’s third-reading calendar after a unanimous roll-call.
Senator Beverly Evans, presenting the bill tied to Representative Collins’ sponsorship, told the Senate, "This bill actually does two things." She said it changes how the price index is applied to promote competition and establishes a streamlined process for the Public Service Commission (PSC) to grant pricing flexibility where competition exists. Under the bill, Evans said, the PSC must act within 90 days of a request, and pricing flexibility would become effective 45 days after the PSC issues its order.
The measure also adds a definition of "substantial compliance" to assure compliance with pricing rules, Evans said, and sponsors reported they had narrowed earlier contentious provisions through compromise and redrafting.
Because the bill had not had a Senate committee hearing, the Senate first voted to suspend the rules to allow third reading; the motion passed. A roll-call vote followed and the clerk reported 29 ayes; the bill moves to the third-reading calendar.
Senators discussed prior industry concerns and the sponsors said earlier issues were removed to promote competition without setting wholesale prices below cost.
The bill will return for third reading and final consideration in the Senate.
