Resolve, Directing the Public Utilities Commission To Study Existing Barriers to Digital Telephone Service Access in Rural Areas of the State
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 2103
Committee: Utilities and Energy
Sponsors: ROBINSON, DIAMOND, CEBRA, MAREAN, SARTY

Legislative Document 
No. 2103 
H.P.1489 
House of Representatives, December 27, 2007 
Resolve, Directing the Public Utilities Commission To Study 
Existing Barriers to Digital Telephone Service Access in Rural 
Areas of the State 
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203. 
Reference to the Committee on Utilities and Energy suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Representative ROBINSON of Raymond. 
Cosponsored by Senator DIAMOND of Cumberland and 
!rJ~/J7.7J?~ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Representatives: CEBRA of Naples, FlITS of Pittsfield, MAREAN of Hollis, SARTY of 
Denmark. 
Printed on recycled paper 
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Preamble. Whereas, many rural communities are currently unable to access 
emerging technological advancements such as digital telephone service; and 
Whereas, constricting the entry of new technologies into rural communities has had 
an adverse impact on local businesses as well as on individual users; and 
Whereas, it is imperative that existing barriers to digital telepoone service in rural 
areas of the State be examined and that solutions be proposed to remedy this problem; 
now, therefore, be it 
Sec. 1. Review by Public Utilities Commission. Resolved: That the Public 
Utilities Commission shall examine the issues associated with access in rural 
communities to digital telephone services. In reviewing this issue, the commission shall: 
1. Examine the federal laws relevant to access to digital telephone services, including, 
but not limited to, Jaws governing interconnection and rural exemptions imposed under 
United States Code, Section 251 and section 252; 
2. Identify existing barriers to access in rural communities to digital telephone 
servIces; 
3. Determine the extent to which such barriers stem from federal law, state law or 
state rules; and 
4. Develop a proposal to facilitate the provision of access to digital telephone service 
in rural areas of the State; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That the Public Utilities Commission shall submit a 
report with respect to the study under section 1, including recommendations and any 
necessary implementing legislation, no later than January 15, 2009 to the joint standing 
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over utilities matters. After receipt and 
review of the report, the joint standing committee may submit legislation to the First 
Regular Session of the 124th Legislature. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Public Utilities Commission to examine the issues associated 
with access in rural communities to digital telephone services, to identify existing barriers 
to such access and to develop a proposal to facilitate the provision of access to digital 
telephone service in rural areas of the State. The Public Utilities Commission is directed 
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to submit its report, together with its recommendations and any necessary implementing 
legislation, no later than January \5, 2009 to the joint standing committee of the 
33, 
Legislature having jurisdiction over utilities matters. 
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