CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 205(L&C) - Summary

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

• Expands the annual regulatory cost charge to include utilities providing telecommunications services, with maximum charges of .7 percent to fund commission operations and .17 percent to fund public advocacy functions within the Department of Law.

• Creates a new exemption category for telecommunications service providers, exempting them from most regulatory requirements except for certification, eligible carrier designation, and certain consumer protection provisions.

• Requires the Regulatory Commission's annual report to include details about activity and costs related to regulating each type of telecommunications carrier.

• Prohibits municipalities from regulating long distance telephone companies or local exchange carriers that are exempted from state regulatory requirements, and repeals AS 42.05.325, 42.05.800, and 42.05.810.