CHAPTER 48

H.P. 575 - L.D. 776

An Act To Eliminate Potential Restrictions to the

Establishment of an Alternative Form of Regulation for Some

Telephone Utilities

Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas, the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, section 9104 contains provisions that might be read as a restriction that allowed the Public Utilities Commission to establish an alternative form of regulation only during a time period in 1995 and 1996 and that are otherwise obsolete; and

Whereas, the Public Utilities Commission and at least one telephone utility are engaged in discussions that may lead to the establishment of an alternative form of regulation for that company; and

Whereas, if such discussions are fruitful, an alternative form of regulation would be established prior to June of 2003; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,