DE HB171

Caps tax on telephone communication poles, wires, cable and conduit at fiscal year 2015 levels for all jurisdictions (state, counties, municipalities, and school districts).

Eliminates all taxes on telephone communication poles, wires, cable and conduit effective June 30, 2018.

Establishes a Telecommunications Tax Modernization Review Group to study replacement funding mechanisms that are revenue-neutral to localities and competitively neutral to service providers.

Directs the Review Group to report findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by March 1, 2017, with membership including legislators, county representatives, local government officials, school district representatives, and telephone service providers.

Requires the Department of Finance to collect revenue data from governments and communications service providers for fiscal year 2014-2015 to evaluate the financial impact of the tax changes.