This bill amends current law to allow the public utilities commission to designate any commercial mobile service provider or telecommunications company as eligible for federal universal service support. Specifically, it adds a new paragraph to RSA 374:22-p, stating that the commission can designate these providers as eligible telecommunications carriers for the purpose of receiving federal support and offering related services. This designation is in addition to those already recognized under federal law, specifically 47 U.S.C. sections 214(e)(1) and 214(e)(2), and 47 C.F.R. section 54.201. The commission is also granted the authority to adopt necessary rules to implement this new provision.

The bill includes a deletion of the restriction in RSA 362:6, which previously limited the commission's ability to designate providers for federal support. The effective date of the act is set for 60 days after its passage, which is scheduled for September 5, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 374:22-p
Version adopted by both bodies: 374:22-p
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 374:22-