Relating to rate-regulated utilities, including telecommunications and electronic transmission services

This bill relates to telecommunications and electronic transmission services.91 pertains to all alternative operator services. Alternative operator services companies are currently defined as nongovernmental companies that receive more than half of their Iowa intrastate telecommunications services revenues from calls placed by end-user customers from telephones other than ordinary residence or business telephones. The definition is further limited to include only companies which provide operator assistance, either through live or automated intervention, on calls placed from other than ordinary residence or business telephones, and does not include services provided under contract to rate-regulated local exchange utilities. The bill revises the scope of alternative operator services regulation by limiting its application only to incarcerated person calling services. The bill removes and adds definitions and makes corresponding changes in the Code section to conform to this revision. The bill amends the requirements for forms required by persons seeking an electric transmission line franchise. Under current law, a form prepared by the general counsel of the Iowa utilities commission must be filled out, signed by the chair of the commission, and have a seal attached. The bill removes the form, chair signature, and official seal requirements from this process. The information required on the form must still be provided to the commission, including a general description of the improvement authorized, the name and address of the person or corporation to whom granted, the general terms and conditions upon which the franchise is granted, and other information as necessary.