CHAPTER 101

S.P. 99 - L.D. 265

An Act To Promote Affordable Telephone Service for

Business and Residential Customers in Rural Maine

Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas, the Public Utilities Commission is proposing to adopt changes to its rules that will go into effect well before the Legislature adjourns and that are not designated as major substantive rules requiring approval by the Legislature before taking effect; and

Whereas, the proposed rule changes will require that the State's incumbent local exchange carriers reduce the level of their in- state access rates and, in most cases, significantly increase the level of their basic local exchange telephone rates; and

Whereas, as a result of federal and state access-rate policies, local customers are experiencing significant increases in local rates without corresponding reduction in toll rates; and

Whereas, the increases in local exchange rates increase the threat to the State's universal service priorities, particularly in rural areas of the 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,