wa-law.org > bill > 2023-24 > SB 5600 > Second Substitute
The definitions in this section apply throughout this section and RCW 80.36.650 through 80.36.690 and 80.36.610 unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
"Basic residential service" means those services set out in 47 C.F.R. Sec. 54.101(a) (2011), as it existed on May 13, 2019, and mandatory extended area service approved by the commission.
"Basic telecommunications services" means the following services:
Single-party service;
Voice grade access to the public switched network;
Support for local usage;
Dual tone multifrequency signaling (touch-tone);
Access to emergency services (911);
Access to operator services;
Access to interexchange services;
Access to directory assistance; and
ix. Toll limitation services.
"Broadband service" means any service providing advanced telecommunications capability, including internet access and access to high quality voice, data, graphics, or video.
"Communications provider" means a provider of communications services that assigns a working telephone number to a final consumer for intrastate wireline or wireless communications services or interconnected voice over internet protocol service, and includes local exchange carriers.
"Communications services" includes telecommunications services and information services and any combination thereof.
"Incumbent local exchange carrier" has the same meaning as set forth in 47 U.S.C. Sec. 251(h).
"Incumbent public network" means the network established by incumbent local exchange carriers for the delivery of communications services to customers that is used by communications providers for origination or termination of communications services by or to customers.
"Interconnected voice over internet protocol service" means an interconnected voice over internet protocol service that: (i) Enables real-time, two-way voice communications; (ii) requires a broadband connection from the user's location; (iii) requires internet protocol-compatible customer premises equipment; and (iv) permits users generally to receive calls that originate on the public network and to terminate calls to the public network.
"Telecommunications" has the same meaning as defined in 47 U.S.C. Sec. 153(43).
"Telecommunications act of 1996" means the telecommunications act of 1996 (P.L. 104-104, 110 Stat. 56).
This section expires July 1, 2026.
A state universal communications services program is established. The program is established to protect public safety and welfare under the authority of the state to regulate telecommunications under Article XII, section 19 of the state Constitution. The purpose of the program is to support continued provision of basic telecommunications services under rates, terms, and conditions established by the commission and the provision, enhancement, and maintenance of broadband services, recognizing that, historically, the incumbent public network functions to provide all communications services including, but not limited to, voice and broadband services.
Under the program, eligible communications providers may receive distributions from the universal communications services account created in RCW 80.36.690 in exchange for the affirmative agreement to provide continued telecommunications services under the rates, terms, and conditions established by the commission under this chapter, and broadband services, for the period covered by the distribution. The commission must implement and administer the program under terms and conditions established in RCW 80.36.630 through 80.36.690. Expenditures for the program may not exceed $5,000,000 per fiscal year; provided, however, that if less than $5,000,000 is expended in any fiscal year, the unexpended portion must be carried over to subsequent fiscal years and, unless fully expended, must be available for program expenditures in such subsequent fiscal years in addition to the $5,000,000 allotted for each of those subsequent fiscal years.
A communications provider is eligible to receive distributions from the account if:
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The communications provider is: (A) An incumbent local exchange carrier serving fewer than 40,000 access lines in the state; or (B) a radio communications service company providing wireless two-way voice communications service and broadband services to less than the equivalent of 40,000 access lines in the state. For purposes of determining the access line threshold in this subsection, the access lines or equivalents of all wireline affiliates must be counted as a single threshold, if the lines or equivalents are located in Washington;
The communications provider has adopted a plan to provide, enhance, or maintain broadband services in its service area; and
The communications provider meets any other requirements established by the commission pertaining to the provision of communications services, including basic telecommunications services; or
The communications provider demonstrates to the commission that the communications provider is able to provide the same or comparable services at the same or similar service quality standards at a lower price; and: (i) Will provide communications services to all customers in the exchange or exchanges in which it will provide service; and (ii) submits to the commission's regulation of its service as if it were the incumbent local exchange company serving the exchange or exchanges for which it seeks distribution from the account.
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Distributions to eligible communications providers are based on criteria established by the commission.
If the program does not have sufficient funds to fully fund the distribution formula set out in (a) of this subsection, distributions must be reduced on a pro rata basis using the amounts calculated for that year's program support as the basis of the pro rata calculations.
To receive a distribution under the program, an eligible communications provider must affirmatively consent to continue providing communications services to its customers under rates, terms, and conditions established by the commission pursuant to this chapter for the period covered by the distribution.
The program is funded from amounts deposited by the legislature in the universal communications services account established in RCW 80.36.690. The commission must operate the program within amounts appropriated for this purpose and deposited in the account.
The commission must periodically review the accounts and records of any communications provider that receives distributions under the program to ensure compliance with the program and monitor the providers' use of the funds.
The commission must establish an advisory board, consisting of a reasonable balance of representatives from different types of stakeholders, including but not limited to communications providers and consumers, to advise the commission on any rules and policies governing the operation of the program.
The commission must submit a report to the legislature that describes the number of residents benefiting from the program, the geographic areas served, the ways that the receiving companies use the funds, the distribution amounts to each company, and implications to service delivery, digital access, and availability to benefiting residents if the funding were not provided. The commission may also include any additional information and analysis that would help inform future appropriation decisions regarding the program. The report must be submitted to the fiscal committees of the legislature by December 31, 2024.
The program terminates on June 30, 2025, and no distributions may be made after that date.
This section expires July 1, 2026.
To implement the program, the commission must adopt rules for the following purposes:
Operation of the program, including criteria for: Eligibility for distributions; use of the funds; identification of any reports or data that must be filed with the commission, including, but not limited to, how a communication provider used the distributed funds; and the communications provider's infrastructure;
Operation of the universal communications services account established in RCW 80.36.690;
Establishment of the criteria used to calculate distributions; and
Readoption, amendment, or repeal of any existing rules adopted pursuant to RCW 80.36.610 as necessary to be consistent with RCW 80.36.630 through 80.36.690 and 80.36.610.
This section expires July 1, 2026.
In addition to any other penalties prescribed by law, the commission may impose penalties for failure to make or delays in making or filing any reports required by the commission for administration of the program. In addition, the commission may recover amounts determined to have been improperly distributed under RCW 80.36.650. For the purposes of this section, the provisions of RCW 80.04.380 through 80.04.405, inclusive, apply to all companies that receive support from the universal communications services account created in RCW 80.36.690.
Any action taken under this section must be taken only after providing the affected communications provider with notice and an opportunity for a hearing, unless otherwise provided by law.
Any amounts recovered under this section must be deposited in the universal communications services account created in RCW 80.36.690.
This section expires July 1, 2026.
The commission may delegate to the commission secretary or other staff the authority to resolve disputes and make other administrative decisions necessary to the administration and supervision of the program consistent with the relevant statutes and commission rules.
This section expires July 1, 2026.
The universal communications services account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. Revenues to the account consist of moneys deposited in the account by the legislature and any penalties or other recoveries received pursuant to RCW 80.36.670. Expenditures from the account may be used only for the purposes of the universal communications services program established in RCW 80.36.650 and commission expenses related to implementation and administration of the provisions of RCW 80.36.630 through 80.36.690 and section 212, chapter 8, Laws of 2013 2nd sp. sess. Only the secretary of the commission or the secretary's designee may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but an appropriation is not required for expenditures.
This section expires July 1, 2026.
The universal communications services program established in RCW 80.36.630 through 80.36.690 terminates on June 30, 2025.
This section expires July 1, 2026.