Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §703, sub-§3-B is enacted to read:

3-B.__Exemptions for certain telephone utilities.__The commission may adopt by rule standards and procedures for granting exemptions to telephone utilities or specified groups of telephone utilities from the approval requirement of subsection 3-A.__Such an exemption must be accompanied by a finding that the exemption is in the public interest and will not have a negative impact on competitive markets for telephone services.__The commission may limit an exemption to a specific geographic area.__A telephone utility granted an exemption pursuant to a rule adopted under this subsection remains subject to other applicable provisions of this Title and commission rules.__For good cause, as defined by the commission by rule, the commission may revoke any exemption granted pursuant to this subsection.__A revocation may be in whole or in part and may be specific to a single telephone utility or a single telephone utility service.__Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

SUMMARY

This bill authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to adopt rules to grant exemptions from the requirement that telephone utilities obtain commission approval for special rate contracts with their customers.