House Debating Utility Bill

Before lunch, debate began on SB 373, a utilities bill that would deregulate residential landline telephone service, and lawmakers continue to debate the issue this afternoon.

Through deregulation, the Public Service Commission would no longer have oversight of residential landline telephone service.

Some lawmakers are concerned that this legislation will adversely affect citizens living in rural areas where services provided by telephone companies are already limited. Telephone providers argue that deregulation is good for consumers through increased competition.

This is the same utilities bill that was the source of much debate in the Senate earlier this month.