SB 599 Summary

• Modifies the Oklahoma Universal Service Fund (OUSF) by establishing declining revenue caps from 2018-2022, with the fund terminating January 1, 2022, after which only remaining funds may be expended.

• Establishes procedures for collecting prepaid wireless OUSF charges as flat transaction amounts (converted from percentages) to be remitted by sellers to the Tax Commission and applied only on July 1 of each calendar year.

• Combines the 9-1-1 telephone fee ($0.75) and Oklahoma Universal Service Fund charge into a single "Combined Prepaid Wireless fee" collected on prepaid wireless retail transactions, with the Tax Commission distributing portions to the Corporation Commission and eligible governing bodies.

• Adds "waste and abuse" to the offenses the Corporation Commission may investigate when monitoring Special Universal Services payments and requires OUSF beneficiaries to provide detailed documentation of federal funding sought for eligible services.

• Eliminates various Commission approval requirements, making administrative determinations by the Administrator binding if not challenged within specified timeframes, and removes percentage limitations on Special Universal Services credit amounts.