8.4. SR 07-31-1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Law summaries continued • 1Yansportation funding Chapter 265 is most noteworthy for what it does not contain: a gas tax increase or other source of substantial new money for transportation (roads or transit). While many last minute proposals were circulated, state leaders were unahle to reach an agreement. Consequently, this law will maintain the status quo or minimize/reduce cuts in road and transit programs in almost all transportation areas. Only a few programs will receive any substantial increase in state. funds. Municipal State Aid Streets (M.S.A.S.) will receive a little more than $176 million over the next two years. Other amendments include constructing an additional lane on I- 394 near Penn Avenue in Minneapolis and related improvements, requiring MnDOT to consider alternative means of financing projects through conges- tion pricing, tolls, mileage pricing, and public-private partnerships, and appropriating almost $900,000 for nonmetropolitan transportation studies, exempting roads from MPCA noise standards, and changing the method of determining population for M.S.A.S. purposes. Refunds of drivers' license fees, all calls from cellular phones, bulletproof vests, and other issues are also addressed in the law, which has various effective dates, but none later than July 1. tion plan. The plan ensures customers will continue to receive affordable service meeting MPUC quality service standards and encourages the develop- ment of alternative forms of telecom- munication. These alternative forms of regulation will deregulate certain non- essential services and the rate of return. Services that are essential to residential and business services such as switched network access, touch-tone service, 911 emergency service, and installation and repair, would continue to be price regulated under the new plan. Other telephone services would be flexibly priced or non-price regu- lated. MPUC is authorized to deter- mine if existing telephone services comply with current rules and if rates are appropriately set prior to the implementation of the alternative regulation plan. Long-distance phone companies are authorized to furnish interexchange services. Local phone services are authorized to offer long-distance service provided under certification by MPUC prior to August 1, 1995, or to offer local phone service certified by MPUC after August 1, 1995. Local phone services may also authorize a provider to furnish local exchange service. A local exchange provider that serves fewer than 50,000 subscribers may choose to become a small tele- phone company for at least three years. The company will not be permitted to increase rates for essential services for two years, or until 1998. Phone companies must comply with non-discrimination standards. These standards require services be provided to "similarly situated per- sons," that preference not be given when furnishing services, products or facilities to affiliates or retailers who sell. directly to customers, and, that rates be set that are in line with the established standards unless competi- tors can obtain similar services in the same mazket or geographic area under comparable terms. MPUC has the sole authority to approve or revoke local exchange service to local subscribers and to prescribe how these services are delivered. Cities and other local units of government retain the authority to decide how equipment and facilities are located on, below, or above public right of ways and property. Phone compa- nies are required to repair and restore streets and other public property to original condition during installation or operations, and must provide a map of facilities within the local telephone service area. MPUC is directed to certify applicants to offer local phone service prior to August 1, .1996 at which time negotiations on interconnection are to take place. In the case where no agreement is reached, MPUC is to make temporary arrangements to allow the new provider to offer services. Similaz arrangements are to be imple- mented for emerging competitors to smaller phone companies. The Minnesota Department of Public Service is directed to study how to ensure citizen access to local government and public access pro- gramming provided through emerging communications technologies like video dialtone and satellite transmis- sion, in a manner equivalent to cable franchise agreements providing public access channels and supporting facility operations and public, educational and government programming. Recom- mendations are to be made to the 1996 legislature. The Minnesota Department of Public Service will also study local franchise fees paid to local government and make recommendations to the 19961egislature as to the purpose, amount and use of fees and related compensation paid to cities. Provisions of most sections take effect August 1, 1995 and expire January 1, 2006. 'i,.~rr "-. ..j~. i~ i Utilities Alternative regulation of telephone companies Chapter 156 authorizes phone companies to apply to the Minnesota • Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) for approval of an alternative regula- 1995 Law Summaries LS 15