Senate committee approves bill shifting telecom discontinuance review from PUC to federal process, 6–3

The Idaho Senate State Affairs Committee voted March 23 to forward H 674 to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation after a roll-call vote of 6–3.

H 674 would amend state law governing the discontinuation of telecommunication service to rely primarily on the Federal Communications Commission’s review when replacement service is available, rather than a separate review by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Rick Gutierrez of Lumen Technologies told the committee that the FCC process is thorough and that the current state-level review duplicates federal oversight. ‘‘No service could be discontinued without an alternative readily available, regardless of whether the review was done by the PUC or the FCC,’’ Gutierrez said, according to the committee minutes.

Committee members questioned whether relying on the federal process would reduce protections for Idaho consumers. Senator Shippy noted the PUC’s standards are more stringent than the FCC’s and asked whether removing PUC review was in customers’ best interests. Gutierrez responded that the PUC could still object during FCC review and that streamlining would remove a duplicative administrative step.

Senator Harris moved to send H 674 to the floor with a do pass recommendation; Senator Adams seconded. The roll call recorded Vice Chairman Bernt, Senators Anthon, Den Hartog, Harris, Toews and Adams voting aye; Chairman Guthrie, Senators Shippy and Ruchti voting nay. The motion carried.

If H 674 advances, committee minutes indicate stakeholders and regulators may press for clarifying language about consumer protections and appeals processes during floor debate and any subsequent committee of the whole.