THE REGULATORY MIX AND BLOG ARTICLES

A new law in Texas will authorize the creation of a fourth entity, a Regional Emergency Communications District, that can assess 9-1-1 emergency service fees.  The law will become effective September 1, 2013, but no fees can be assessed until all affected counties and municipalities authorize the assessment fees. A separate law, also effective September 1, 2013, modernizes the definition of 9-1-1 service for all authorized 9-1-1 fees.

The Nebraska PSC has revised its rules governing the collection and remittance of the Telephone Relay System (TRS) and Enhanced Wireless 911 (wireless E-911) charges. The changes to the TRS rules require that: 

Missouri began deregulating telecommunications services in 2008. In 2011, the state of Missouri allowed telecommunications companies to elect not to file retail tariffs. Now a new law in Missouri will exempt telecommunications companies’ retail services from all telecommunications regulation.

A new Rhode Island law (effective June 24, 2013) prohibits the PUC from regulating wireless services. Wireless service providers will still be required to collect and remit E911 and TRS fees and pay public service corporation taxes. They will also be subject to general consumer protection and unfair or deceptive trade practices statutes and regulations.

A new law (effective May 24, 2013) in Nevada requires wireless
providers to provide, on request of a law enforcement agency, certain call
location information about their subscriber’s devices. To facilitate the
processing of such requests, wireless providers, including resellers, must also
provide emergency contact information to the Nevada Department of Safety.

Recently Connecticut and Maryland adopted changes to E-911 fees. Both changes effect the manner in which prepaid wireless providers  remit their E-911 fees.  The changes are set to take effect on  July 1, 2013.

The Nebraska Public Service Commission has established documentation requirements for the July 2013, ICC/USF reform tariff filings. All local exchange carriers that need to revise their access rates must file revised tariffs by June 21, 2013. However, the PSC “encourages” carriers to voluntarily file access tariffs on or before May 9, 2013, to allow the PSC to review the tariff changes earlier. Carriers that have no need to revise their access tariffs because their rates are already compliant with FCC rules must file a written notice explaining why their current rates are compliant by June 1, 2013. Carriers that do not charge other carriers for intrastate access must also provide written notice to the PSC by June 1, 2013. Tariffs should have an effective date of July 1, 2013. The PSC previously issued an Index of all LECs authorized to provide telecommunications services in Nebraska that includes a docket number which will be used to track and identify filings and documentation received by the PSC. All carriers must reference their applicable indexed docket number in their filings.