99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
SB3437

 

Introduced 6/28/2016, by Sen. Wm. Sam McCann

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
220 ILCS 5/13-506.2

    Amends the Public Utilities Act. In a provision concerning market regulation for competitive retail services, makes changes to the definition of "basic local exchange service". Provides that "basic local exchange service" means residential and business lines used for local exchange telecommunications service (rather than either a stand-alone residence network access line and per-call usage or, for any geographic area in which such stand-alone service is not offered, a stand-alone flat rate residence network access line for which local calls are not charged for frequency or duration). Retains within the definition that Extended Area Service shall be included in basic local exchange service. Provides that an Electing Provider shall restore basic local exchange service for the customer within 24 (rather than 30) hours after receiving notice that the customer is out of service. Provides that if an Electing Provider fails to repair an out-of-service condition for basic local exchange service within 24 (rather than 30) hours, the Electing Provider shall provide a credit to the customer. Provides that if the service disruption is for more than 24 (rather than 30) hours, but not more than 48 hours, the credit must be equal to a pro-rata portion of the monthly recurring charges for all basic local exchange services disrupted. Makes related changes to provisions requiring Electing Providers to make quarterly reports to the Illinois Commerce Commission.


LRB099 22209 EGJ 49578 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB3437LRB099 22209 EGJ 49578 b

1    AN ACT concerning regulation.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Public Utilities Act is amended by changing
5Section 13-506.2 as follows:
 
6    (220 ILCS 5/13-506.2)
7    (Section scheduled to be repealed on July 1, 2017)
8    Sec. 13-506.2. Market regulation for competitive retail
9services.
10    (a) Definitions. As used in this Section:
11        (1) "Electing Provider" means a telecommunications
12    carrier that is subject to either rate regulation pursuant
13    to Section 13-504 or Section 13-505 or alternative
14    regulation pursuant to Section 13-506.1 and that elects to
15    have the rates, terms, and conditions of its competitive
16    retail telecommunications services solely determined and
17    regulated pursuant to the terms of this Article.
18        (2) "Basic local exchange service" means residential
19    and business lines used for local exchange
20    telecommunications service either a stand-alone residence
21    network access line and per-call usage or, for any
22    geographic area in which such stand-alone service is not
23    offered, a stand-alone flat rate residence network access

 

 

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1    line for which local calls are not charged for frequency or
2    duration. Extended Area Service shall be included in basic
3    local exchange service.
4        (3) "Existing customer" means a residential customer
5    who was subscribing to one of the optional packages
6    described in subsection (d) of this Section as of the
7    effective date of this amendatory Act of the 99th General
8    Assembly. A customer who was subscribing to one of the
9    optional packages on that date but stops subscribing
10    thereafter shall not be considered an "existing customer"
11    as of the date the customer stopped subscribing to the
12    optional package, unless the stoppage is temporary and
13    caused by the customer changing service address locations,
14    or unless the customer resumes subscribing and is eligible
15    to receive discounts on monthly telephone service under the
16    federal Lifeline program, 47 C.F.R. Part 54, Subpart E.
17        (4) "New customer" means a residential customer who was
18    not subscribing to one of the optional packages described
19    in subsection (d) of this Section as of the effective date
20    of this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly and who
21    is eligible to receive discounts on monthly telephone
22    service under the federal Lifeline program, 47 C.F.R. Part
23    54, Subpart E.
24    (b) Election for market regulation. Notwithstanding any
25other provision of this Act, an Electing Provider may elect to
26have the rates, terms, and conditions of its competitive retail

 

 

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1telecommunications services solely determined and regulated
2pursuant to the terms of this Section by filing written notice
3of its election for market regulation with the Commission. The
4notice of election shall designate the geographic area of the
5Electing Provider's service territory where the market
6regulation shall apply, either on a state-wide basis or in one
7or more specified Market Service Areas ("MSA") or Exchange
8areas. An Electing Provider shall not make an election for
9market regulation under this Section unless it commits in its
10written notice of election for market regulation to fulfill the
11conditions and requirements in this Section in each geographic
12area in which market regulation is elected. Immediately upon
13filing the notice of election for market regulation, the
14Electing Provider shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the
15Commission to the extent expressly provided in this Section.
16    (c) Competitive classification. Market regulation shall be
17available for competitive retail telecommunications services
18as provided in this subsection.
19        (1) For geographic areas in which telecommunications
20    services provided by the Electing Provider were classified
21    as competitive either through legislative action or a
22    tariff filing pursuant to Section 13-502 prior to January
23    1, 2010, and that are included in the Electing Provider's
24    notice of election pursuant to subsection (b) of this
25    Section, such services, and all recurring and nonrecurring
26    charges associated with, related to or used in connection

 

 

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1    with such services, shall be classified as competitive
2    without further Commission review. For services classified
3    as competitive pursuant to this subsection, the
4    requirements or conditions in any order or decision
5    rendered by the Commission pursuant to Section 13-502 prior
6    to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th
7    General Assembly, except for the commitments made by the
8    Electing Provider in such order or decision concerning the
9    optional packages required in subsection (d) of this
10    Section and basic local exchange service as defined in this
11    Section, shall no longer be in effect and no Commission
12    investigation, review, or proceeding under Section 13-502
13    shall be continued, conducted, or maintained with respect
14    to such services, charges, requirements, or conditions. If
15    an Electing Provider has ceased providing optional
16    packages to customers pursuant to subdivision (d)(8) of
17    this Section, the commitments made by the Electing Provider
18    in such order or decision concerning the optional packages
19    under subsection (d) of this Section shall no longer be in
20    effect and no Commission investigation, review, or
21    proceeding under Section 13-502 shall be continued,
22    conducted, or maintained with respect to such packages.
23        (2) For those geographic areas in which residential
24    local exchange telecommunications services have not been
25    classified as competitive as of the effective date of this
26    amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, all

 

 

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1    telecommunications services provided to residential and
2    business end users by an Electing Provider in the
3    geographic area that is included in its notice of election
4    pursuant to subsection (b) shall be classified as
5    competitive for purposes of this Article without further
6    Commission review.
7        (3) If an Electing Provider was previously subject to
8    alternative regulation pursuant to Section 13-506.1 of
9    this Article, the alternative regulation plan shall
10    terminate in whole for all services subject to that plan
11    and be of no force or effect, without further Commission
12    review or action, when the Electing Provider's residential
13    local exchange telecommunications service in each MSA in
14    its telecommunications service area in the State has been
15    classified as competitive pursuant to either subdivision
16    (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this Section.
17        (4) The service packages described in Section 13-518
18    shall be classified as competitive for purposes of this
19    Section if offered by an Electing Provider in a geographic
20    area in which local exchange telecommunications service
21    has been classified as competitive pursuant to either
22    subdivision (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this Section.
23        (5) Where a service, or its functional equivalent, or a
24    substitute service offered by a carrier that is not an
25    Electing Provider or the incumbent local exchange carrier
26    for that area is also being offered by an Electing Provider

 

 

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1    for some identifiable class or group of customers in an
2    exchange, group of exchanges, or some other clearly defined
3    geographical area, the service offered by a carrier that is
4    not an Electing Provider or the incumbent local exchange
5    carrier for that area shall be classified as competitive
6    without further Commission review.
7        (6) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
8    retail telecommunications services classified as
9    competitive pursuant to Section 13-502 or subdivision
10    (c)(5) of this Section shall have their rates, terms, and
11    conditions solely determined and regulated pursuant to the
12    terms of this Section in the same manner and to the same
13    extent as the competitive retail telecommunications
14    services of an Electing Provider, except that subsections
15    (d), (g), and (j) of this Section shall not apply to a
16    carrier that is not an Electing Provider or to the
17    competitive telecommunications services of a carrier that
18    is not an Electing Provider. The access services of a
19    carrier that is not an Electing Provider shall remain
20    subject to Section 13-900.2. The requirements in
21    subdivision (e)(3) of this Section shall not apply to
22    retail telecommunications services classified as
23    competitive pursuant to Section 13-502 or subdivision
24    (c)(5) of this Section, except that, upon request from the
25    Commission, the telecommunications carrier providing
26    competitive retail telecommunications services shall

 

 

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1    provide a report showing the number of credits and
2    exemptions for the requested time period.
3    (d) Consumer choice safe harbor options.
4        (1) Subject to subdivision (d)(8) of this Section, an
5    Electing Provider in each of the MSA or Exchange areas
6    classified as competitive pursuant to subdivision (c)(1)
7    or (c)(2) of this Section shall offer to all residential
8    customers who choose to subscribe the following optional
9    packages of services priced at the same rate levels in
10    effect on January 1, 2010:
11            (A) A basic package, which shall consist of a
12        stand-alone residential network access line and 30
13        local calls. If the Electing Provider offers a
14        stand-alone residential access line and local usage on
15        a per call basis, the price for the basic package shall
16        be the Electing Provider's applicable price in effect
17        on January 1, 2010 for the sum of a residential access
18        line and 30 local calls, additional calls over 30 calls
19        shall be provided at the current per call rate.
20        However, this basic package is not required if
21        stand-alone residential network access lines or
22        per-call local usage are not offered by the Electing
23        Provider in the geographic area on January 1, 2010 or
24        if the Electing Provider has not increased its
25        stand-alone network access line and local usage rates,
26        including Extended Area Service rates, since January

 

 

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1        1, 2010.
2            (B) An extra package, which shall consist of
3        residential basic local exchange network access line
4        and unlimited local calls. The price for the extra
5        package shall be the Electing Provider's applicable
6        price in effect on January 1, 2010 for a residential
7        access line with unlimited local calls.
8            (C) A plus package, which shall consist of
9        residential basic local exchange network access line,
10        unlimited local calls, and the customer's choice of 2
11        vertical services offered by the Electing Provider.
12        The term "vertical services" as used in this
13        subsection, includes, but is not limited to, call
14        waiting, call forwarding, 3-way calling, caller ID,
15        call tracing, automatic callback, repeat dialing, and
16        voicemail. The price for the plus package shall be the
17        Electing Provider's applicable price in effect on
18        January 1, 2010 for the sum of a residential access
19        line with unlimited local calls and 2 times the average
20        price for the vertical features included in the
21        package.
22        (2) Subject to subdivision (d)(8) of this Section, for
23    those geographic areas in which local exchange
24    telecommunications services were classified as competitive
25    on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th
26    General Assembly, an Electing Provider in each such MSA or

 

 

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1    Exchange area shall be subject to the same terms and
2    conditions as provided in commitments made by the Electing
3    Provider in connection with such previous competitive
4    classifications, which shall apply with equal force under
5    this Section, except as follows: (i) the limits on price
6    increases on the optional packages required by this Section
7    shall be extended consistent with subsection (d)(1) of this
8    Section and (ii) the price for the extra package required
9    by subsection (d)(1)(B) shall be reduced by one dollar from
10    the price in effect on January 1, 2010. In addition, if an
11    Electing Provider obtains a competitive classification
12    pursuant to subsection (c)(1) and (c)(2), the price for the
13    optional packages shall be determined in such area in
14    compliance with subsection (d)(1), except the price for the
15    plus package required by subsection (d)(1) (C) shall be the
16    lower of the price for such area or the price of the plus
17    package in effect on January 1, 2010 for areas classified
18    as competitive pursuant to subsection (c)(1).
19        (3) To the extent that the requirements in Section
20    13-518 applied to a telecommunications carrier prior to the
21    effective date of this Section and that telecommunications
22    carrier becomes an Electing Provider in accordance with the
23    provisions of this Section, the requirements in Section
24    13-518 shall cease to apply to that Electing Provider in
25    those geographic areas included in the Electing Provider's
26    notice of election pursuant to subsection (b) of this

 

 

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1    Section.
2        (4) Subject to subdivision (d)(8) of this Section, an
3    Electing Provider shall make the optional packages
4    required by this subsection and stand-alone residential
5    network access lines and local usage, where offered,
6    readily available to the public by providing information,
7    in a clear manner, to residential customers. Information
8    shall be made available on a website, and an Electing
9    Provider shall provide notification to its customers every
10    6 months, provided that notification may consist of a bill
11    page message that provides an objective description of the
12    safe harbor options that includes a telephone number and
13    website address where the customer may obtain additional
14    information about the packages from the Electing Provider.
15    The optional packages shall be offered on a monthly basis
16    with no term of service requirement. An Electing Provider
17    shall allow online electronic ordering of the optional
18    packages and stand-alone residential network access lines
19    and local usage, where offered, on its website in a manner
20    similar to the online electronic ordering of its other
21    residential services.
22        (5) Subject to subdivision (d)(8) of this Section, an
23    Electing Provider shall comply with the Commission's
24    existing rules, regulations, and notices in Title 83, Part
25    735 of the Illinois Administrative Code when offering or
26    providing the optional packages required by this

 

 

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1    subsection (d) and stand-alone residential network access
2    lines.
3        (6) Subject to subdivision (d)(8) of this Section, an
4    Electing Provider shall provide to the Commission
5    semi-annual subscribership reports as of June 30 and
6    December 31 that contain the number of its customers
7    subscribing to each of the consumer choice safe harbor
8    packages required by subsection (d)(1) of this Section and
9    the number of its customers subscribing to retail
10    residential basic local exchange service as defined in
11    subsection (a)(2) of this Section. The first semi-annual
12    reports shall be made on April 1, 2011 for December 31,
13    2010, and on September 1, 2011 for June 30, 2011, and
14    semi-annually on April 1 and September 1 thereafter. Such
15    subscribership information shall be accorded confidential
16    and proprietary treatment upon request by the Electing
17    Provider.
18        (7) The Commission shall have the power, after notice
19    and hearing as provided in this Article, upon complaint or
20    upon its own motion, to take corrective action if the
21    requirements of this Section are not complied with by an
22    Electing Provider.
23        (8) On and after the effective date of this amendatory
24    Act of the 99th General Assembly, an Electing Provider
25    shall continue to offer and provide the optional packages
26    described in this subsection (d) to existing customers and

 

 

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1    new customers. On and after July 1, 2017, an Electing
2    Provider may immediately stop offering the optional
3    packages described in this subsection (d) and, upon
4    providing two notices to affected customers and to the
5    Commission, may stop providing the optional packages
6    described in this subsection (d) to all customers who
7    subscribe to one of the optional packages. The first notice
8    shall be provided at least 90 days before the date upon
9    which the Electing Provider intends to stop providing the
10    optional packages, and the second notice must be provided
11    at least 30 days before that date. The first notice shall
12    not be provided prior to July 1, 2017. Each notice must
13    identify the date on which the Electing Provider intends to
14    stop providing the optional packages, at least one
15    alternative service available to the customer, and a
16    telephone number by which the customer may contact a
17    service representative of the Electing Provider. After
18    July 1, 2017 with respect to new customers, and upon the
19    expiration of the second notice period with respect to
20    customers who were subscribing to one of the optional
21    packages, subdivisions (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(4), (d)(5),
22    (d)(6), and (d)(7) of this Section shall not apply to the
23    Electing Provider. Notwithstanding any other provision of
24    this Article, an Electing Provider that has ceased
25    providing the optional packages under this subdivision
26    (d)(8) is not subject to Section 13-301(1)(c) of this Act.

 

 

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1    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, and
2    subject to subdivision (d)(7) of this Section, the
3    Commission's authority over the discontinuance of the
4    optional packages described in this subsection (d) by an
5    Electing Provider shall be governed solely by this
6    subsection (d)(8).
7    (e) Service quality and customer credits for basic local
8exchange service.
9        (1) An Electing Provider shall meet the following
10    service quality standards in providing basic local
11    exchange service, which for purposes of this subsection
12    (e), includes both basic local exchange service and any
13    consumer choice safe harbor options that may be required by
14    subsection (d) of this Section.
15            (A) Install basic local exchange service within 5
16        business days after receipt of an order from the
17        customer unless the customer requests an installation
18        date that is beyond 5 business days after placing the
19        order for basic service and to inform the customer of
20        the Electing Provider's duty to install service within
21        this timeframe. If installation of service is
22        requested on or by a date more than 5 business days in
23        the future, the Electing Provider shall install
24        service by the date requested.
25            (B) Restore basic local exchange service for the
26        customer within 24 30 hours after receiving notice that

 

 

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1        the customer is out of service.
2            (C) Keep all repair and installation appointments
3        for basic local exchange service if a customer premises
4        visit requires a customer to be present. The
5        appointment window shall be either a specific time or,
6        at a maximum, a 4-hour time block during evening,
7        weekend, and normal business hours.
8            (D) Inform a customer when a repair or installation
9        appointment requires the customer to be present.
10        (2) Customers shall be credited by the Electing
11    Provider for violations of basic local exchange service
12    quality standards described in subdivision (e)(1) of this
13    Section. The credits shall be applied automatically on the
14    statement issued to the customer for the next monthly
15    billing cycle following the violation or following the
16    discovery of the violation. The next monthly billing cycle
17    following the violation or the discovery of the violation
18    means the billing cycle immediately following the billing
19    cycle in process at the time of the violation or discovery
20    of the violation, provided the total time between the
21    violation or discovery of the violation and the issuance of
22    the credit shall not exceed 60 calendar days. The Electing
23    Provider is responsible for providing the credits and the
24    customer is under no obligation to request such credits.
25    The following credits shall apply:
26            (A) If an Electing Provider fails to repair an

 

 

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1        out-of-service condition for basic local exchange
2        service within 24 30 hours, the Electing Provider shall
3        provide a credit to the customer. If the service
4        disruption is for more than 24 30 hours, but not more
5        than 48 hours, the credit must be equal to a pro-rata
6        portion of the monthly recurring charges for all basic
7        local exchange services disrupted. If the service
8        disruption is for more than 48 hours, but not more than
9        72 hours, the credit must be equal to at least 33% of
10        one month's recurring charges for all local services
11        disrupted. If the service disruption is for more than
12        72 hours, but not more than 96 hours, the credit must
13        be equal to at least 67% of one month's recurring
14        charges for all basic local exchange services
15        disrupted. If the service disruption is for more than
16        96 hours, but not more than 120 hours, the credit must
17        be equal to one month's recurring charges for all basic
18        local exchange services disrupted. For each day or
19        portion thereof that the service disruption continues
20        beyond the initial 120-hour period, the Electing
21        Provider shall also provide an additional credit of $20
22        per calendar day.
23            (B) If an Electing Provider fails to install basic
24        local exchange service as required under subdivision
25        (e)(1) of this Section, the Electing Provider shall
26        waive 50% of any installation charges, or in the

 

 

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1        absence of an installation charge or where
2        installation is pursuant to the Link Up program, the
3        Electing Provider shall provide a credit of $25. If an
4        Electing Provider fails to install service within 10
5        business days after the service application is placed,
6        or fails to install service within 5 business days
7        after the customer's requested installation date, if
8        the requested date was more than 5 business days after
9        the date of the order, the Electing Provider shall
10        waive 100% of the installation charge, or in the
11        absence of an installation charge or where
12        installation is provided pursuant to the Link Up
13        program, the Electing Provider shall provide a credit
14        of $50. For each day that the failure to install
15        service continues beyond the initial 10 business days,
16        or beyond 5 business days after the customer's
17        requested installation date, if the requested date was
18        more than 5 business days after the date of the order,
19        the Electing Provider shall also provide an additional
20        credit of $20 per calendar day until the basic local
21        exchange service is installed.
22            (C) If an Electing Provider fails to keep a
23        scheduled repair or installation appointment when a
24        customer premises visit requires a customer to be
25        present as required under subdivision (e)(1) of this
26        Section, the Electing Provider shall credit the

 

 

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1        customer $25 per missed appointment. A credit required
2        by this subdivision does not apply when the Electing
3        Provider provides the customer notice of its inability
4        to keep the appointment no later than 8:00 pm of the
5        day prior to the scheduled date of the appointment.
6            (D) Credits required by this subsection do not
7        apply if the violation of a service quality standard:
8                (i) occurs as a result of a negligent or
9            willful act on the part of the customer;
10                (ii) occurs as a result of a malfunction of
11            customer-owned telephone equipment or inside
12            wiring;
13                (iii) occurs as a result of, or is extended by,
14            an emergency situation as defined in 83 Ill. Adm.
15            Code 732.10;
16                (iv) is extended by the Electing Provider's
17            inability to gain access to the customer's
18            premises due to the customer missing an
19            appointment, provided that the violation is not
20            further extended by the Electing Provider;
21                (v) occurs as a result of a customer request to
22            change the scheduled appointment, provided that
23            the violation is not further extended by the
24            Electing Provider;
25                (vi) occurs as a result of an Electing
26            Provider's right to refuse service to a customer as

 

 

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1            provided in Commission rules; or
2                (vii) occurs as a result of a lack of
3            facilities where a customer requests service at a
4            geographically remote location, where a customer
5            requests service in a geographic area where the
6            Electing Provider is not currently offering
7            service, or where there are insufficient
8            facilities to meet the customer's request for
9            service, subject to an Electing Provider's
10            obligation for reasonable facilities planning.
11        (3) Each Electing Provider shall provide to the
12    Commission on a quarterly basis and in a form suitable for
13    posting on the Commission's website in conformance with the
14    rules adopted by the Commission and in effect on April 1,
15    2010, a public report that includes the following data for
16    basic local exchange service quality of service:
17            (A) With regard to credits due in accordance with
18        subdivision (e)(2)(A) as a result of out-of-service
19        conditions lasting more than 24 30 hours:
20                (i) the total dollar amount of any customer
21            credits paid;
22                (ii) the number of credits issued for repairs
23            between 24 30 and 48 hours;
24                (iii) the number of credits issued for repairs
25            between 49 and 72 hours;
26                (iv) the number of credits issued for repairs

 

 

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1            between 73 and 96 hours;
2                (v) the number of credits used for repairs
3            between 97 and 120 hours;
4                (vi) the number of credits issued for repairs
5            greater than 120 hours; and
6                (vii) the number of exemptions claimed for
7            each of the categories identified in subdivision
8            (e)(2)(D).
9            (B) With regard to credits due in accordance with
10        subdivision (e)(2)(B) as a result of failure to install
11        basic local exchange service:
12                (i) the total dollar amount of any customer
13            credits paid;
14                (ii) the number of installations after 5
15            business days;
16                (iii) the number of installations after 10
17            business days;
18                (iv) the number of installations after 11
19            business days; and
20                (v) the number of exemptions claimed for each
21            of the categories identified in subdivision
22            (e)(2)(D).
23            (C) With regard to credits due in accordance with
24        subdivision (e)(2)(C) as a result of missed
25        appointments:
26                (i) the total dollar amount of any customer

 

 

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1            credits paid;
2                (ii) the number of any customers receiving
3            credits; and
4                (iii) the number of exemptions claimed for
5            each of the categories identified in subdivision
6            (e)(2)(D).
7            (D) The Electing Provider's annual report required
8        by this subsection shall also include, for
9        informational reporting, the performance data
10        described in subdivisions (e)(2)(A), (e)(2)(B), and
11        (e)(2)(C), and trouble reports per 100 access lines
12        calculated using the Commission's existing applicable
13        rules and regulations for such measures, including the
14        requirements for service standards established in this
15        Section.
16        (4) It is the intent of the General Assembly that the
17    service quality rules and customer credits in this
18    subsection (e) of this Section and other enforcement
19    mechanisms, including fines and penalties authorized by
20    Section 13-305, shall apply on a nondiscriminatory basis to
21    all Electing Providers. Accordingly, notwithstanding any
22    provision of any service quality rules promulgated by the
23    Commission, any alternative regulation plan adopted by the
24    Commission, or any other order of the Commission, any
25    Electing Provider that is subject to any other order of the
26    Commission and that violates or fails to comply with the

 

 

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1    service quality standards promulgated pursuant to this
2    subsection (e) or any other order of the Commission shall
3    not be subject to any fines, penalties, customer credits,
4    or enforcement mechanisms other than such fines or
5    penalties or customer credits as may be imposed by the
6    Commission in accordance with the provisions of this
7    subsection (e) and Section 13-305, which are to be
8    generally applicable to all Electing Providers. The amount
9    of any fines or penalties imposed by the Commission for
10    failure to comply with the requirements of this subsection
11    (e) shall be an appropriate amount, taking into account, at
12    a minimum, the Electing Provider's gross annual intrastate
13    revenue; the frequency, duration, and recurrence of the
14    violation; and the relative harm caused to the affected
15    customers or other users of the network. In imposing fines
16    and penalties, the Commission shall take into account
17    compensation or credits paid by the Electing Provider to
18    its customers pursuant to this subsection (e) in
19    compensation for any violation found pursuant to this
20    subsection (e), and in any event the fine or penalty shall
21    not exceed an amount equal to the maximum amount of a civil
22    penalty that may be imposed under Section 13-305.
23        (5) An Electing Provider in each of the MSA or Exchange
24    areas classified as competitive pursuant to subsection (c)
25    of this Section shall fulfill the requirements in
26    subdivision (e)(3) of this Section for 3 years after its

 

 

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1    notice of election becomes effective. After such 3 years,
2    the requirements in subdivision (e)(3) of this Section
3    shall not apply to such Electing Provider, except that,
4    upon request from the Commission, the Electing Provider
5    shall provide a report showing the number of credits and
6    exemptions for the requested time period.
7    (f) Commission jurisdiction over competitive retail
8telecommunications services. Except as otherwise expressly
9stated in this Section, the Commission shall thereafter have no
10jurisdiction or authority over any aspect of competitive retail
11telecommunications service of an Electing Provider in those
12geographic areas included in the Electing Provider's notice of
13election pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section or of a
14retail telecommunications service classified as competitive
15pursuant to Section 13-502 or subdivision (c)(5) of this
16Section, heretofore subject to the jurisdiction of the
17Commission, including but not limited to, any requirements of
18this Article related to the terms, conditions, rates, quality
19of service, availability, classification or any other aspect of
20any competitive retail telecommunications services. No
21telecommunications carrier shall commit any unfair or
22deceptive act or practice in connection with any aspect of the
23offering or provision of any competitive retail
24telecommunications service. Nothing in this Article shall
25limit or affect any provisions in the Consumer Fraud and
26Deceptive Business Practices Act with respect to any unfair or

 

 

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1deceptive act or practice by a telecommunications carrier.
2    (g) Commission authority over access services upon
3election for market regulation.
4        (1) As part of its Notice of Election for Market
5    Regulation, the Electing Provider shall reduce its
6    intrastate switched access rates to rates no higher than
7    its interstate switched access rates in 4 installments. The
8    first reduction must be made 30 days after submission of
9    its complete application for Notice of Election for Market
10    Regulation, and the Electing Provider must reduce its
11    intrastate switched access rates by an amount equal to 33%
12    of the difference between its current intrastate switched
13    access rates and its current interstate switched access
14    rates. The second reduction must be made no later than one
15    year after the first reduction, and the Electing Provider
16    must reduce its then current intrastate switched access
17    rates by an amount equal to 41% of the difference between
18    its then current intrastate switched access rates and its
19    then current interstate switched access rates. The third
20    reduction must be made no later than one year after the
21    second reduction, and the Electing Provider must reduce its
22    then current intrastate switched access rates by an amount
23    equal to 50% of the difference between its then current
24    intrastate switched access rate and its then current
25    interstate switched access rates. The fourth reduction
26    must be made on or before June 30, 2013, and the Electing

 

 

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1    Provider must reduce its intrastate switched access rate to
2    mirror its then current interstate switched access rates
3    and rate structure. Following the fourth reduction, each
4    Electing Provider must continue to set its intrastate
5    switched access rates to mirror its interstate switched
6    access rates and rate structure. For purposes of this
7    subsection, the rate for intrastate switched access
8    service means the composite, per-minute rate for that
9    service, including all applicable fixed and
10    traffic-sensitive charges, including, but not limited to,
11    carrier common line charges.
12        (2) Nothing in paragraph (1) of this subsection (g)
13    prohibits an Electing Provider from electing to offer
14    intrastate switched access service at rates lower than its
15    interstate switched access rates.
16        (3) The Commission shall have no authority to order an
17    Electing Provider to set its rates for intrastate switched
18    access at a level lower than its interstate switched access
19    rates.
20        (4) The Commission's authority under this subsection
21    (g) shall only apply to Electing Providers under Market
22    Regulation. The Commission's authority over switched
23    access services for all other carriers is retained under
24    Section 13-900.2 of this Act.
25    (h) Safety of service equipment and facilities.
26        (1) An Electing Provider shall furnish, provide, and

 

 

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1    maintain such service instrumentalities, equipment, and
2    facilities as shall promote the safety, health, comfort,
3    and convenience of its patrons, employees, and public and
4    as shall be in all respects adequate, reliable, and
5    efficient without discrimination or delay. Every Electing
6    Provider shall provide service and facilities that are in
7    all respects environmentally safe.
8        (2) The Commission is authorized to conduct an
9    investigation of any Electing Provider or part thereof. The
10    investigation may examine the reasonableness, prudence, or
11    efficiency of any aspect of the Electing Provider's
12    operations or functions that may affect the adequacy,
13    safety, efficiency, or reliability of telecommunications
14    service. The Commission may conduct or order an
15    investigation only when it has reasonable grounds to
16    believe that the investigation is necessary to assure that
17    the Electing Provider is providing adequate, efficient,
18    reliable, and safe service. The Commission shall, before
19    initiating any such investigation, issue an order
20    describing the grounds for the investigation and the
21    appropriate scope and nature of the investigation, which
22    shall be reasonably related to the grounds relied upon by
23    the Commission in its order.
24    (i) (Blank).
25    (j) Application of Article VII. The provisions of Sections
267-101, 7-102, 7-104, 7-204, 7-205, and 7-206 of this Act are

 

 

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1applicable to an Electing Provider offering or providing retail
2telecommunications service, and the Commission's regulation
3thereof, except that (1) the approval of contracts and
4arrangements with affiliated interests required by paragraph
5(3) of Section 7-101 shall not apply to such telecommunications
6carriers provided that, except as provided in item (2), those
7contracts and arrangements shall be filed with the Commission;
8(2) affiliated interest contracts or arrangements entered into
9by such telecommunications carriers where the increased
10obligation thereunder does not exceed the lesser of $5,000,000
11or 5% of such carrier's prior annual revenue from
12noncompetitive services are not required to be filed with the
13Commission; and (3) any consent and approval of the Commission
14required by Section 7-102 is not required for the sale, lease,
15assignment, or transfer by any Electing Provider of any
16property that is not necessary or useful in the performance of
17its duties to the public.
18    (k) Notwithstanding other provisions of this Section, the
19Commission retains its existing authority to enforce the
20provisions, conditions, and requirements of the following
21Sections of this Article: 13-101, 13-103, 13-201, 13-301,
2213-301.1, 13-301.2, 13-301.3, 13-303, 13-303.5, 13-304,
2313-305, 13-401, 13-401.1, 13-402, 13-403, 13-404, 13-404.1,
2413-404.2, 13-405, 13-406, 13-407, 13-501, 13-501.5, 13-503,
2513-505, 13-509, 13-510, 13-512, 13-513, 13-514, 13-515,
2613-516, 13-519, 13-702, 13-703, 13-704, 13-705, 13-706,

 

 

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113-707, 13-709, 13-713, 13-801, 13-802.1, 13-804, 13-900,
213-900.1, 13-900.2, 13-901, 13-902, and 13-903, which are fully
3and equally applicable to Electing Providers and to
4telecommunications carriers providing retail
5telecommunications service classified as competitive pursuant
6to Section 13-502 or subdivision (c)(5) of this Section subject
7to the provisions of this Section. On the effective date of
8this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly, the following
9Sections of this Article shall cease to apply to Electing
10Providers and to telecommunications carriers providing retail
11telecommunications service classified as competitive pursuant
12to Section 13-502 or subdivision (c)(5) of this Section:
1313-302, 13-405.1, 13-502, 13-502.5, 13-504, 13-505.2,
1413-505.3, 13-505.4, 13-505.5, 13-505.6, 13-506.1, 13-507,
1513-507.1, 13-508, 13-508.1, 13-517, 13-518, 13-601, 13-701,
16and 13-712.
17(Source: P.A. 98-45, eff. 6-28-13; 99-6, eff. 6-29-15.)