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Bill > HF304
IA HF304
IA HF304A bill for an act relating to rate-regulated utilities, including telecommunications and electronic transmission services.(Formerly HSB 65; See HF 2181.)
summary
Introduced
02/10/2025
02/10/2025
In Committee
04/03/2025
04/03/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill relates to telecommunications and electronic transmission services. Under current law, Code section 476.91 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.
AI Summary
This bill makes two primary changes to existing Iowa utility regulations. First, it narrows the definition of alternative operator services to focus exclusively on phone services for incarcerated persons, removing previous broader definitions that covered telecommunications services from non-standard locations like pay phones or hotel rooms. The bill redefines key terms to specifically address calling services within correctional facilities, whether those facilities are in Iowa or another state, and maintains the utilities commission's regulatory oversight of these services. Second, the bill simplifies the process for electric transmission line franchises by eliminating administrative requirements such as having the general counsel prepare a specific form, removing the need for the commission chair's signature, and removing the requirement for an official seal. Despite these procedural changes, the bill still requires that franchise applications provide essential information like a description of the authorized improvement, the name and address of the recipient, and the general terms and conditions of the franchise. These modifications aim to streamline regulatory processes while maintaining necessary oversight of telecommunications and utility services.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (0)
No sponsors listed
Other Sponsors (1)
Commerce (House)
Last Action
Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 2181. (on 01/27/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF304 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF304.html |
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