Whereas, it is necessary that this legislation be enacted as an emergency in order to allow citizens of this State to be able to call contiguous communities without having to pay a toll for those calls; and

Whereas, awaiting the 90 days after adjournment for this legislation to take effect is a hardship to the citizens of this State; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §7308 is enacted to read:

§7308.__Toll-call rate for certain calls prohibited

A telephone utility may not charge a toll-call rate for a telephone call made between contiguous communities.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill prohibits a telephone utility from charging a toll- call rate for a telephone call made between contiguous communities.