Legislature(2017 - 2018)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/15/2017 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB23 | |
| HB141 | |
| SB80 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 4 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 56 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 37 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 80 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 23 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 141 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 80
"An Act relating to telecommunications services for
certain disabled subscribers; and providing for an
effective date."
1:35:39 PM
SENATOR MIA COSTELLO, SPONSOR, explained the legislation.
She stated that the bill allowed the Regulatory Commission
of Alaska to assess a surcharge to provide technology that
met 21st century needs of the deaf, hard of hearing, and
speech disabled communities.
1:36:27 PM
SORCHA HAZELTON, STAFF, SENATOR MIA COSTELLO, explained the
Sectional Analysis. She stated that the first section made
the changes that allowed the commission to expand its
surcharge allowance. She stated that Section 2 was the
effective date.
Ms. Hazelton explained the bill:
Senate Bill 80 updates state statute to improve
technology service for Alaska's deaf, hard of hearing,
and speech impaired community. The Committee
Substitute incorporates "person first" language to
respectfully acknowledge those individuals with
disabilities.
In the early 1990s, the Legislature granted the
Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) the authority to
require telephone utilities to serve the deaf, hard of
hearing, and speech impaired citizens of Alaska. These
policies allowed telephonic communication between
impacted Alaskans and those without impairment. This
is accomplished through a telecommunications relay
service (TRS) that provides interpretive service
operators to relay tele-typed, voice, or signed
messages from one party to another. The provider also
runs an equipment distribution and outreach program
allowing access to public telephone service for this
subscriber group.
Currently, the program's scope and the surcharges
which fund it are limited in statute to wired devices
like tele-type units (TTY) and CapTel telephones. This
limitation is antiquated given the expanded use of
cell phones and other technology.
RCA regulations provide for cost recovery through a
surcharge which is currently only applied to the
dwindling number of landline telephones. With a
statewide move toward wireless (mobile/cellular)
phones and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
technology, the most efficient and effective service
to this subscriber group is lacking resources from the
diminished wirelines to which a surcharge applies. SB
80 allows the RCA to provide equipment and services
that best serve the communities' needs.
This bill allows the RCA to more equitably assess the
TRS surcharge to a growing number of cell phone and
VoIP users, expand the type of telecommunication
devices and software available to disabled
subscribers, and provides for a July 1, 2017,
effective date which correlates with the operating
agreement cycle with the current TRS provider.
SB 80 modernizes and enhances services provided to
Alaskans with disabilities and allows for greater
independence and an improved quality of life.
Senator Micciche wondered if there would be an increase in
consumer's bills. Ms. Hazelton deferred to the commission.
She stated that the surcharge would be lowered, because the
base would expand.
Senator Olson queried the effect on the rural and remote
sites. Senator Costello deferred to Mr. Rokeberg.
1:43:28 PM
NORMAN ROKEBERG, COMMISSIONER, REGULATORY COMMISSION OF
ALASKA (via teleconference), spoke in support of the bill.
He pointed out that the surcharge was not a universal
access charge, but rather a telecommunications relay
service surcharge. He stated that the bill would enable the
commission to lower the surcharge by two-thirds. He
announced that there were currently over 900,000 lines in
Alaska, and only 258,000 were paying a surcharge. He stated
that the concept was to more equitably spread the charge,
and lower the cost overall.
Senator Olson queried the expected average surcharge as
compared to the current surcharge, especially for those who
were not currently paying. Mr. Rokeberg stated that the
current level was nine cents per wire line and eighteen
cents per business multi-line. He felt that the rate could
be lowered to four to five cents per line for both
residential and business. He explained that there was
currently a two-tiered system, with residents paying less
than business lines. He stated that there was a discussion
with the industry, and it appeared that the rates could be
lowered by up to 57 percent. He stressed that cellular
customers would be charged a fee that they were not
currently paying.
1:47:37 PM
Senator Olson surmised that the 600,000 individuals who
were not currently paying the surcharge would see an
increase. Mr. Rokeberg replied in the affirmative. He
stressed that the mobile and cellular users would see an
increase four to five cents per month.
Senator Olson queried the number of users in rural Alaska.
Mr. Rokeberg responded that he did not know the number as
related to geographic dispersion between cellular and
landlines.
Senator Olson assumed that some people in rural Alaska
would see an increase on their bills. Mr. Rokeberg agreed.
Senator Micciche surmised that the user currently paid 9
cents per line per month at $1.08 per line for wired
communications. Mr. Rokeberg replied that wired lines were
paying 9 cents for residential and 18 cents for multiline
businesses. The objective was to lower the overall cost to
4 cents for both residential. He stated that the
approximately 600,000 mobile phone users would see a very
small increase of 50 cents per year.
Co-Chair MacKinnon CLOSED public testimony.
1:50:58 PM
AT EASE
1:51:21 PM
RECONVENED
Vice-Chair Bishop addressed the fiscal note.
Vice-Chair Bishop MOVED to REPORT CSSB 80 (L&C) from
committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.
CSSB 80(L&C) was REPORTED out of committee with "no
recommendation" and with previously published zero fiscal
note: FN 1(CED).
1:53:25 PM
AT EASE
1:53:57 PM
RECONVENED
Co-Chair MacKinnon discussed the committee meeting
schedule.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 23 SCS HB 23 FIN v. N.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
HB 23 |
| HB 23 SCS HB23 FIN Overview.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
HB 23 |
| HB 141 - DOLWD Response 2017.04.14.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
HB 141 |
| HB 23 Amendment 2 MacKinnon.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
HB 23 |
| HB 23 Amendment 1 MacKinnon.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
HB 23 |
| HB 23 Support Letter Olsen.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
HB 23 |
| HB 23 Support for Municipals Hallett.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
HB 23 |
| HB 23 Public Testimony Dupee.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
HB 23 |
| HB141 - Amendment 1 Bishop, Hoffman, Olson, Micciche, MacKinnon.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
HB 141 |
| SB 80 Support Letter - Statewide Independent Living Council of Alaska.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
SB 80 |
| HB 23 Major Policy Differences.pdf |
SFIN 4/15/2017 9:00:00 AM |
HB 23 |