Committee passes broad telecom‑law rewrite, adds prepaid USF charge and clarifies competition rules

Lawmakers approved a broad revision of Wyoming’s telecommunications statutes aimed at clarifying what services remain regulated and how universal‑service funding is administered.

Staff said the package (25LSO203) is the product of months of a multi‑stakeholder working group and mostly reorganizes existing law while making targeted changes: it extends certain sunsets to 2031, narrows regulation to ‘‘noncompetitive essential telecommunication service’’ (local voice service where competition does not exist), allows electronic and simplified price‑schedule filings with the PSC, and adds a prepaid wireless contribution to the Universal Service Fund beginning July 1, 2026.

Industry representatives and rural providers described the bill as a compromise. Jason Hendricks (Range/Wyoming Telecommunications Association) explained the working group chose a location‑based competitiveness process that allows petitions to declare particular locations competitive rather than launching a costly statewide investigation. Charter and Lumen witnesses supported the streamlining and the USF approach but cautioned on how competition would be determined in practice.

Some members pressed for stronger consumer protections and local complaint access; Senator Scott proposed amendments to the quality‑of‑service complaint process but the committee rejected proposals to remove statutory provisions that would link certain complaint processes to noncompetitive service areas. Representative Yen unsuccessfully moved to remove broadband‑specific language that limits political subdivisions’ ability to operate broadband services without offering industry an opportunity to provide the service first.

On roll call the committee approved the act as amended. Committee and witnesses said remaining technical issues can be resolved as the bill continues through the legislative process.