PRINTER'S NO. 2585
No. 305 Session of 1999
INTRODUCED BY GEORGE, VEON, DeLUCA, McCALL, BELARDI, M. COHEN,
CAWLEY, FREEMAN, MARKOSEK, STABACK, CAPPABIANCA, MICHLOVIC,
BELFANTI, GIGLIOTTI, TRELLO, CARN, VAN HORNE, PETRARCA,
LaGROTTA, PISTELLA, RAMOS, SOLOBAY, SURRA, MYERS, COSTA,
MANDERINO, MANN, GRUCELA, WILLIAMS, HANNA, TRAVAGLIO,
FICHTER, DALEY, RUBLEY, THOMAS, WOJNAROSKI, LAUGHLIN,
FAIRCHILD, STURLA, CURRY, MELIO, READSHAW, LEDERER, CORRIGAN,
DEMPSEY, PESCI, SATHER, YEWCIC, YOUNGBLOOD, SHANER, JOSEPHS,
ORIE AND BROWNE, NOVEMBER 3, 1999
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS,
NOVEMBER 3, 1999
A RESOLUTION
1 Memorializing the Federal Communications Commission to devise a
2 new method to limit carrier line charges.
3 WHEREAS, Total monthly long distance charges for some senior
4 citizens in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have risen close to
5 100 times the actual charges for toll minutes used in a billing
6 period; and
7 WHEREAS, These significant long distance bills are a result
8 of the recent development of minimum monthly charges from
9 several long distance carriers and the imposition of carrier
10 line fees, tariffs and taxes; and
11 WHEREAS, Long distance telephone companies have recently
12 increased their use of minimum fees to residential customers;
13 and
14 WHEREAS, These fees have a disproportionate impact on many
1 senior citizens and families with fixed incomes who do not make
2 many long distance calls; and
3 WHEREAS, The Federal Trade Commission has begun an
4 investigation as to whether these long distance minimum fees
5 constitute an unfair trade practice while the Federal
6 Communications Commission has primary jurisdiction over the
7 regulation of long distance telephone service; therefore be it
8 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
9 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania memorialize the Federal
10 Communications Commission to devise a new method for carrier
11 line charges and other fees, tariffs and taxes that would
12 significantly reduce or eliminate these fees for customers who
13 have a low volume of long distance telephone calls; and be it
14 further
15 RESOLVED, That if the Federal Government or the long distance
16 carriers do not curtail these fees within three months, the
17 House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
18 will request the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to
19 examine what options, incentives or penalties the Commonwealth
20 of Pennsylvania may enact to encourage the elimination and
21 significant reduction of these minimum fees; and be it further
22 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
23 the Pennsylvania congressional delegation and the chairpersons
24 of the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Trade
25 Commission and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
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