The Telecommunications Exchange Deregulation Act amends several sections of the Nebraska Revised Statutes to introduce new regulations for telecommunications services. It defines various types of telecommunications carriers, including "carrier of last resort," "deregulated carrier," and "transitioning carrier." The bill establishes a process for deregulating exchanges, allowing only electing local exchange carriers to initiate such proceedings, and sets criteria for determining the competitiveness of exchanges. It also grants the Public Service Commission the authority to require information disclosure from carriers while maintaining confidentiality for proprietary information. Deregulated carriers are exempt from certain obligations, such as the duties of a carrier of last resort, and the commission is prohibited from providing funds from the Nebraska Telecommunications Universal Service Fund to these carriers.

Additionally, the bill modifies the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission regarding transportation services, particularly for Medicaid nonemergency medical transportation, and clarifies the rights of telecommunications companies concerning infrastructure construction and maintenance. It alters the consent process for telecommunications companies using public highways, ensuring that consent cannot be unreasonably withheld and that any taxes or fees imposed are competitively neutral. The legislation allows municipalities to increase occupation taxes with voter approval and mandates that agreements between governing entities and telecommunications companies be publicly accessible. Overall, the bill aims to streamline telecommunications regulations while ensuring consumer protections and public interests are upheld.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 86-111.01, 86-124
Final Reading: 75-109.01, 75-311, 75-342, 76-2325.01, 86-111.01, 86-124, 86-704, 86-1505
Slip Law: 75-109.01, 75-311, 75-342, 76-2325.01, 86-111.01, 86-124, 86-704, 86-1505