The bill amends the Wyoming Telecommunications Act by extending its sunset date from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2031, and introduces new definitions to clarify the application of the act, particularly concerning essential telecommunications services and broadband internet access. It mandates that local exchange services provide access to interexchange services and requires telecommunications companies to post price schedules for noncompetitive essential telecommunications services. Additionally, the bill restricts local governments from entering exclusive agreements for broadband services, ensuring that private providers have the opportunity to offer similar services first. It also requires telecommunications companies to obtain commission approval before discontinuing noncompetitive essential services and includes provisions for universal service fund charges for prepaid wireless services.

Moreover, the bill allows cities and towns to provide broadband internet access services on a nondiscriminatory basis, with pricing that mirrors costs incurred by for-profit companies. It establishes a complaint process for anticompetitive behavior, enabling the commission to investigate and potentially halt service provision until issues are resolved. A new charge for prepaid wireless telecommunications access will be implemented starting July 1, 2026, calculated as a percentage of intrastate telecommunications services, with funds directed to the universal service fund. The bill also repeals several sections of existing law and assigns the Department of Revenue the responsibility of adopting necessary rules by the same date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 37-15-103, 37-15-104