CS for CS for SB 1524 - Regulatory Reform Act

• Creates the "Regulatory Reform Act" revising Florida's telecommunications regulation framework by reducing Public Service Commission jurisdiction and removing price regulation provisions

• Exempts intrastate interexchange services, broadband services, VoIP, wireless services, and basic/nonbasic services from PSC oversight while maintaining PSC authority over local interconnection and unbundling per federal law

• Repeals multiple statutes related to price regulation, rate adjustment orders, consumer protection programs, certificates for competitive local exchange companies, and operator services regulations

• Requires eligible telecommunications carriers to provide Lifeline Assistance Plan for qualified low-income residential subscribers with specific consumer protections including toll blocking options and service deposit restrictions

• Modifies certificate requirements by ceasing issuance of certificates of necessity after July 1, 2011, while requiring new certificates of authority only upon demonstration of technical, financial, and managerial capability

• Establishes expedited dispute resolution procedures through the PSC with 120-day decision timeline and prevents unauthorized carrier changes through commission-adopted rules with verification requirements