00 HOUSE BILL NO. 501                                                                                                      
01 "An Act requiring competition in local exchange telephone service."                                                     
02 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
03    * Section 1.  AS 42.05 is amended by adding new sections to read:                                                    
04 ARTICLE 10.  COMPETITIVE LOCAL EXCHANGE TELEPHONE SERVICE.                                                              
05  Sec. 42.05.750.  FINDINGS.  The legislature finds that                                                                
06   (1)  competition in the market for local exchange telephone service will                                             
07 increase choices available to customers and reduce the cost of local exchange                                           
08 telephone service; accordingly, the state encourages competition in the local exchange                                  
09 telecommunications market and encourages the commission to replace the current                                          
10 regulatory framework with a fully competitive telecommunications marketplace                                            
11 statewide;                                                                                                              
12   (2)  facilities-based, local exchange telephone service should be provided                                           
13 competitively throughout the state;                                                                                     
14   (3)  technological advances, reduced costs, and increased consumer                                                   
01 choices for local exchange telephone service, resulting from the adoption of an                                         
02 appropriate competitive market structure, will enhance the state's economic                                             
03 development;                                                                                                            
04   (4)  the commission should oversee competition in local exchange                                                     
05 telephone service to ensure that the competition is fair to consumers and competitors.                                  
06  Sec. 42.05.760.  COMPETITION.  The commission shall provide for                                                       
07 competition in local exchange telephone service in a timely manner and shall adopt                                      
08 regulations that eliminate inappropriate impediments to entry for local exchange                                        
09 carriers fit, willing, and able to provide service.