Bill Text: MO HCR14 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Opposes the FCC reforms regarding broadband deployment in rural and hard-to-reach areas and urges the Missouri Congressional delegation to support to expand broadband and DSL in rural areas
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-05-18 - Referred: Utilities (H) [HCR14 Detail]
Download: Missouri-2012-HCR14-Introduced.html
SECOND REGULAR SESSION
House Concurrent Resolution No. 14
96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES SHIVELY (Sponsor), FALLERT, QUINN, AULL, LOEHNER, REDMON, THOMSON, ASBURY AND KORMAN (Co-sponsors).
WHEREAS, on October 27, 2011, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved a reform proposal for the Universal Service Fund (USF) and intercarrier compensation regime; and
WHEREAS, the Universal Service Fund is the fund carriers pay into to subsidize communications services to rural and hard-to-reach areas. Intercarrier compensation are the payments among carriers to originate, transport, and terminate telecommunications traffic, within a framework of federal and state regulations; and
WHEREAS, since the USF subsidy payments made by carriers are passed along to consumers, the FCC presented the reforms as a consumer-focused way of giving consumers the maximum benefit by transitioning to broadband; and
WHEREAS, the result of the FCC's vote and reforms would be migrating the USF to broadband, phasing out legacy phone support, attempting to reduce duplicative payments, fraud and abuse, and reforming intercarrier compensation; and
WHEREAS, organizations representing rural telephone companies have filed a petition with the FCC for reconsideration and clarification on various aspects of the USF reform order to ensure continued broadband investment, encourage economic development, and secure jobs in rural areas; and
WHEREAS, without modifications to the proposed reforms, the negative impact on rural broadband deployment and rural economics will be significant; and
WHEREAS, many of these proposed reforms will pre-empt the current regulations of the Missouri Public Service Commission which determine fees for long-distance calls; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-sixth General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby:
(1) Oppose the proposed reforms to the Universal Service Fund and intercarrier compensation approved by the Federal Communications Commission on October 27, 2011, as detrimental to the rural broadband deployment and rural economies; and
(2) Oppose the federal preemption of Missouri Public Service Commission regulations which determine fees for long-distance calls; and
(3) Strongly urge the United States Congress, and especially the Missouri Congressional delegation to support the efforts made by rural telephone companies in expanding broadband and digital subscriber line (DSL)communication in rural areas; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare properly inscribed copies of this resolution for the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate and House of Representatives, and each member of the Missouri Congressional delegation.
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