Notices for Week of: NOVEMBER 17, 2005
PROPOSED STATE RULES
By law, public notice of proposed rules must be given by publication in newspapers of record. The purpose of these notices is to give the public a chance to respond to the proposals. The public notices for administrative rules are now also available online at http://vermont-archives.org/aparules/ovnotices.htm The law requires an agency to hold a public hearing on a proposed rule, if requested to do so in writing by 25 persons or an association having at least 25 members.
To make special arrangements for individuals with disabilities or special needs please call or write the contact person listed below as soon as possible
To obtain further information concerning any scheduled hearing(s), obtain copies of proposed rule(s) or submit comments regarding proposed rule(s), please call or write the contact person listed below. You may also submit comments in writing to the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules, State House, Montpelier, Vermont 05602 (828-2231).
Standards for billing, credit and collections, and customer information for telecommunications carriers (7.600)
Vermont Proposed Rule: 05P052
AGENCY: Public Service Board
CONCISE SUMMARY: The purpose of this Rule is to (1)inform consumers by ensuring that customers and applicants for service receive adequate and timely information from telecommunications carriers about service offerings, account status, and anticipated actions involving disconnections; (2) prevent discrimination by ensuring reasonable access to service and ensuring that all customers and applicants for telecommunications services are not subject to unjust discrimination and are not unreasonably denied or disconnected from telecommunications service; and protect consumers by prohibiting unfair or deceptive practices and establishing minimum mandatory consumer protection standards, including minimum standards for disconnection.
TYPE OF PERSONS AFFECTED: Incumbent and competitive telecommunications carriers are directly subject to this rule. The Rule will also affect consumers of telecommunications services and the Dept. of Public Service and the Board the government entities that regulate this industry.
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS: The majority of the requirements contained in the Rule have already been promulgated through Board Order and are, therefore, unlikely to have an adverse economic impact. Some portions of the Rule will impose additional costs through imposition of new regulatory requirements. However, the Rule also lessens the regulatory requirements for certain carriers by amending existing Rules and procedures. Therefore, the economic impact of this rule should be minimal.
SCHEDULED HEARINGS: December 6, 2005 -- 10:00 AM -- Public Service Board Hearing Room, 4th Floor, Chittenden Bank Building, 112 State Street, Montpelier, VT.
DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: December 16, 2005
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Gregg Faber, Vermont Public Service Board, Chittenden Bank Building, 112 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602-2701 (802)828-2358.
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Nondominant Telecommunications Carriers (7.500)
Vermont Proposed Rule: 05P053
AGENCY: Public Service Board
CONCISE SUMMARY: In accordance with 30 V.S.A. § 227c, this rule modified, reduces and suspends various requirements under Title 30 of Vermont statutes that would otherwise apply to nondominant providers of telecommunications service. In determining that modifications, reductions or suspensions of Title 30 requirements should be included in this Rule, the Public Service Board has determined that competition in the relevant markets, combined with the remaining regulatory requirements of Title 30 will be sufficient to ensure that the charges, practices, classifications or regulations related to the service are just and reasonable, and are not unjustly or unreasonably discriminatory; and will afford the public at least as much protection as the applicable regulatory requirements that are modified, reduced or suspended.
TYPE OF PERSONS AFFECTED: Incumbent and competitive telecommunications carriers are directly subject to this Rule. The Rule will also affect customers of these carriers and government entities, including the Dept. of Public Service and the Public Service Board, that deal with these carriers.
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS: The Rule will reduce the regulatory burden currently experience by both nondominant telecommunications carriers and their regulatory agencies. The Board currently receives over 100 filings annually that may be eliminated by this Rule. Each filing can cost carriers up to $1,000, producing an estimated cost savings of up to $100,000 annually. These savings may in turn be passed on to consumers. The rule will also eliminate approximately 500 hours spent each year by the Board and the Dept. of Public Service reviewing these filings.
SCHEDULED HEARINGS: December 6, 2005 -- 10:00 AM -- Public Service Board Hearing Room, 4th Floor, Chittenden Bank Building, 112 State Street, Montpelier, VT
DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: December 16,2005
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Gregg Faber, Vermont Public Service Board, Chittenden Bank Building, 112 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602-2701 (802)828-2358.
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- If you have general questions about the rulemaking process, please contact
- Louise Corliss by e-mail at or by phone 802-828-2863
