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Manager’s Memo - for the week ending Feb. 26, 2010
COLR Relief Considered in House: Legislation that would relieve ILECs from carrier of last resort obligations in limited circumstances was heard Tuesday by the House Committee on Energy and Environment. The bill, HB 1372 (PDF file), would provide an automatic COLR waiver to ILECs in cases in which a developer of a "greenfield" property entered into an exclusive service contract with an alternative provider.
MTIA, CenturyLink and AT&T testified in favor of the bill. The measure was opposed by the AFL-CIO on behalf of the Communications Workers of America. The committee is expected to vote on the bill in executive session next Tuesday.
Committee Approves Caller Location Measure: The House Committee on Utilities Tuesday approved legislation that would require telecommunications carriers to provide caller location information to law enforcement agencies in emergencies. The bill, HB 1633, also grants carriers legal protection from suit when complying with law enforcement requests. The measure was supported by AT&T and Verizon Wireless.
DOR Tax Fix Gets Senate Hearing: Legislation that would overturn a new policy of the Missouri Department of Revenue affecting Internet taxation was heard Wednesday by the Senate Committee on Ways & Means. The bill, SB 928, would nullify a recent DOR policy resulting from two decisions handed down in late 2009 by the Missouri Supreme Court. The new tax policy impacts many types of sales, but would in part apply sales tax to certain sales of Internet service.
Several groups testified in support of the bill including MTIA, AT&T, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Associated Industries of Missouri and the Missouri Restaurant Association. Surprise opposition came from the Branson Theater Owners Association over other provisions in the bill affecting sales taxes on theater tickets. That group's position may slow down the bill in committee.
In related action, language abrogating the court decision and its impact on sales tax policy has been added to HB 1684, an economic development bill up for debate on the House floor.
Cornelius to Lead Capitol Hill Effort: Brian Cornelius, president of Citizens Telephone Company in Higginsville, was named chairman of the OPASTCO legislative policy committee at the group's January meeting in San Diego. Cornelius will lead the effort to shape industry positions and develop strategy for the association's work with Congress. He has served on the MTIA board of directors since 1993, and was MTIA chairman in 2002.
Commission Flexible on March 1 Report: In light of a pending regulatory change allowing carriers to incorporate their CPNI filing with their annual report, the PSC staff is allowing carriers to file the report either by the March 1 due date or with the April 15 annual report. For more information, contact John Van Eschen at 573-751-5525.
Industry Partner of the Week: MTIA member company CBM, Inc. is a manufacturer's representative providing a variety of communications products to Missouri's telecommunications carriers. For more information contact Marla Sparks, vice president of telecommunications, at 636-634-1523 or visit them online at www.cbmrep.com.
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