Substitute House Bill No. 5473 seeks to amend telecommunications regulations by updating definitions and establishing quality of service standards for various telecommunications providers. Key insertions include definitions for "facilities-based carrier," "incumbent local exchange carrier," and "voice over Internet protocol service," which clarify the types of service providers covered under the law. The bill mandates the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to adopt, monitor, and enforce quality of service standards directly, rather than through regulations, and requires telecommunications companies to submit semiannual compliance reports. It also introduces penalties for non-compliance, including fines of up to $2,000 for failing to meet reporting requirements or quality standards.

Additionally, the bill modifies the process for adopting settlement agreements in contested cases, allowing PURA to accept proposed settlements from negotiations or alternative dispute resolutions. It removes the previous provision that automatically approved applications for changes in control over PURA-regulated utilities if the authority did not act within specified timeframes. The effective date for these changes is set for October 1, 2026, and the bill is designed to enhance accountability and transparency in telecommunications service provision without imposing additional fiscal burdens on the state or municipalities.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 16-247p, 16-19jj
ET Joint Favorable Substitute: 16-247p, 16-19jj
File No. 424: 16-247p, 16-19jj