SB 83-TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATION/EXEMPTIONS  1:32:08 PM CHAIR REINBOLD announced that the first order of business would be SENATE BILL NO. 83, "An Act relating to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska; relating to the public utility regulatory cost charge; relating to the regulation of telecommunications; relating to exemptions, charges, and rates applicable to telecommunications utilities; relating to regulation of telephone services; and relating to alternate operator services." 1:33:54 PM At-ease. 1:35:16 PM CHAIR REINBOLD reconvened the meeting. 1:35:22 PM SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON referred to Section 9, on page 4, line 8, which added language "or a local exchange carrier." She asked whether local exchange carriers were regulated by municipalities. 1:35:50 PM CHRISTINE OCONNOR, Executive Director, Alaska Telecom Association, Anchorage, answered that local exchange carriers or landline providers are not currently regulated by municipalities. She said that one municipal owned telephone company, Ketchikan Public Utilities, is governed by their city council. SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON asked whether the bill would basically address housekeeping issues. MS. OCONNOR answered yes, that this bill would update statutes, many of which were nearly 50 years old. 1:36:29 PM CHAIR REINBOLD announced that public testimony had been previously closed. 1:37:07 PM SENATOR COSTELLO reviewed the fiscal note from the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED). She said that SB 83 had no fiscal impact and regulation changes would be adopted by December 31, 2023. The bill would establish a universal service fund and requests that the RCA establish a communication carrier section. The RCA anticipated implementing these provisions with existing resources, she said. 1:38:04 PM SENATOR BIRCH related his understanding that public testimony had previously been opened and closed. He reported that a similar bill was introduced last year. SB 83 would seek to encourage investment and innovation in the telecommunication industry by updating the statutes relevant to to the landline and long distance services. This bill would provide a comprehensive fix, one that has been needed for some time. He said he appreciated the work the industry has put into this bill over the past several years. He characterized it as a "good bill." 1:38:56 PM SENATOR BIRCH thanked his staff, Kim Skipper and Christine O'Connor for their work on this bill. 1:39:52 PM SENATOR COSTELLO moved to report SB 83, work order 31-LS0563\M, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note. There being no objection, SB 83 was reported from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee. 1:40:09 PM At-ease.