SB 672 Summary

• Modifies the Oklahoma Telecommunications Act of 1997 to establish procedures for assessing and collecting universal service fees from telecommunications carriers to fund the Oklahoma Universal Service Fund (OUSF) and Oklahoma Lifeline Fund (OLF)

• Creates a "combined fee" system for prepaid wireless telecommunications services that combines the prepaid wireless 9-1-1 fee ($0.50 per transaction) with the OUSF charge, collected and distributed through the Oklahoma Tax Commission

• Establishes an administrative preapproval process allowing Oklahoma Universal Service Fund Beneficiaries to submit funding requests directly to the OUSF Administrator for Special Universal Services (telemedicine, broadband for schools, libraries, and healthcare entities) without requiring a Commission order

• Requires competitive bidding for Special Universal Services and defines credit amounts for reimbursement based on federal funding support and lowest reasonable cost qualifying bids

• Declares an emergency, making the act effective immediately upon passage; the OUSF charge for prepaid wireless services becomes effective November 1, 2015