Pennsylvania Senate Committee Advances Wireline Regulatory Reform Bill
The Pennsylvania Senate Communications and Technology Committee voted 6-5 on Tuesday to adopt SB-491, which would eliminate a variety of state regulations on wireline phone service. Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R), who introduced the bill, said wireline companies represent fewer than 10% of voice subscriptions in the state but are at a competitive disadvantage to other types of providers due to a strict, archaic legacy regulatory framework.
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SB-491 would remove rules on tariff filing requirements for incumbent local exchange carriers and paper billing, Phillips-Hill said. However, the state public utility commission would still have oversight in areas including 911, universal service and customer complaints, she noted. The bill also would require the PUC to review its telecommunications rules every three years and eliminate those that are no longer necessary or in the public interest. The bill now advances to the full Senate.
Committee Minority Chair Nick Miller (D), who voted against the bill, said the legislation "still needs work" but didn't elaborate.