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Monday, February 27, 2006

Ind. Law - Telecom bill may be finalized today

"Telecom bill promises big changes: Indiana lawmakers on verge of approval" writes Lesley Stedman Weidenbener today for the Louisville Courier Journal. Weidenbener has covered this story from the beginning, and has another comprehensive report today. It begins:

The Indiana General Assembly is on the cusp of giving final approval to a dramatic change in state laws that govern telephone and cable television services.

As early as today the House could send House Bill 1279 to Gov. Mitch Daniels, who is expected to sign it into law over the objections of the AARP and some consumer groups and to the cheers of business groups and companies such as AT&T.

It will remove price caps on local telephone service, take significant telecommunications oversight away from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and make it easier for companies to provide cable-like video services.

If it becomes law, supporters have promised that major infrastructure investment is right around the corner.

Note: HB 1279 has passed the House and the Senate. The Senate made a number of amendments. The bill is now back in the House, where the members may vote to concur in the Senate changes, or may instead send the bill to Conference Committee.

Check here for a list of all ILB telecommunication coverage.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on February 27, 2006 07:40 AM
Posted to Indiana Law