Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No | Negative | Neutral | Neutral | Negative | Neutral |
Relating to the period
of eligibility for support from the universal service plan for certain
providers.
HB 1618 would
change the time frame under which competitive telecommunication providers in
certain exchanges can receive support from the Texas Universal Service Fund
(TUSF).
Senate Bill 583,
passed during the 83rd legislative session, established a phase-out of the
support telecommunication providers receive from the Texas Universal Service
Fund (TUSF) in certain exchanges. The phase out time frame was to be 24 months
after deregulation by the incumbent provider for competitive providers, and
December 31, 2017, for cooperatives.
Because the
deregulation of incumbent providers happened earlier than expected in some
cases, HB 1618 would give competitive providers additional time to
receive support by the Texas Universal Service Fund, by changing the time frame
to the later of 24 months after deregulation by the incumbent provider or
December 31, 2017.
SB 583 established the
phase-out and providers were aware that this was coming. HB 1618 would
extend the time frame for support by the TUSF for competitive providers, hence
giving additional flexibility to some providers. Although the amount of
additional support may not be substantial, this is not a step in the right
direction as it delays the phase-out and sets a precedent for changing time
frames in cases of deregulation. This violates both Free Market and Limited Government principles. As a consequence, we oppose this bill.