Report Title:

Non-Emergency Police Calls; 311 System; Utility Surcharge

Description:

Authorizes public utilities providing phone service in the State to levy a surcharge to cover the costs of establishing a 311 system to receive incoming non-emergency calls that are inappropriate for the existing 911 system.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

370

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to non-emergency police call systems.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Section 269-16.95, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§269-16.95 Emergency and non-emergency telephone [service;] services; capital costs; ratemaking. (a) A public utility providing local exchange telecommunications services may recover the capital cost and associated operating expenses of providing a statewide enhanced 911 emergency telephone service and a 311 non-emergency telephone service in the public switched telephone network, through:

(1) A telephone line surcharge; or

(2) Its rate case.

(b) Notwithstanding the commission's rules on ratemaking, the commission shall expedite and give highest priority to any necessary ratemaking procedures related to providing a statewide enhanced 911 emergency telephone service; provided that the commission may set forth conditions and requirements as the commission determines are in the public interest.

(c) The commission shall require every public utility providing a statewide enhanced 911 emergency or 311 non-emergency telephone service to maintain a separate accounting of the costs of providing [an enhanced 911 emergency] the service and the revenues received from related surcharges until the next general rate case. The commission shall further require that every public utility imposing a surcharge shall identify such as a separate line item on all customer billing statements.

(d) This section shall not preclude the commission from changing any rate, established pursuant to this section, either specifically or pursuant to any general restructuring of all telephone rates, charges, and classifications."

SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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