HCS/HB 142 - This act allows a company to elect to elect to provide high speed Internet or broadband service on a non- regulated basis and prohibits the Public Service Commission (PSC) or any political subdivision from imposing any restrictions on the provision of high speed Internet or broadband service for those entities making the election. The also requires local telephone companies to provide unbundled access to network elements related to high speed Internet access service to the extent required to imprement FCC regulations.

Nothing will affect the PSC's authority:

- to consider whether these services should be included in its definition of essential local telecommunications service

-to establish or approve rates for the use of the telecommunications company facilities

-to consider whether revenues received for broadband services should be included in Missouri jurisdictional telecommunications services revenues

Telecommunications companies offering services to Internet service providers shall make offerings on a nondiscriminatory basis. Nothing shall prevent political subdivisions from regulating the physical facilities of a high speed internet provider. Nothing will prevent political subdivisions from enforcing the terms of franchise agreements.

This act is similar to SB 221 (2003).
CINDY KADLEC