HB-96 – Act To Amend Title 26 of the Delaware Code Relating to the Jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission and Public Utilities Providing Telecommunication Services

Senate Sponsor[s]: Bushweller

Senate Co-sponsor[s]: Blevins, Ennis, Peterson, Poore, Venables

Synopsis: Make changes to telecommunication regulation and services by reducing Public Service Commission oversight of some competitive services while maintaining PSC oversight of basic service and placing caps on rate increase for basic services at 10 percent per year for five years, effective 1 Jan. 14 and at 5 percent per year starting 1 Jan. 2019, including individual residential local exchanges, creates the Delaware Broad- band Fund, paid through a 3 1/2-year assessment on service providers, to help support and enhance broadband services in public schools and libraries and to expand broadband services into under- or un-served rural areas. It also amends sections of existing telecommunications law to provide consistency and allows the use of alternative technologies if the PSC orders extensions of a utility’s facilities.

Status: Signed