AK HB404

Prohibits the Regulatory Commission of Alaska from designating a local exchange carrier or interexchange carrier as carrier of last resort, while allowing designation of eligible telecommunications carriers under federal law (47 U.S.C. 214(e))

Exempts telecommunications utilities from most state regulatory requirements in AS 42.05, except for provisions relating to eligible telecommunications carriers, consumer protection standards, and access charges

Requires all local exchange carriers to charge identical rates and use the same rate structure for intrastate and interstate interexchange access services

Prevents municipalities from regulating long distance telephone companies or local exchange carriers that are exempted from state regulation under AS 42.05

Establishes a transition period requiring telecommunications utilities currently paying regulatory cost charges to continue doing so until July 1, 2019