HB1314 (2014) Detail

(New Title) establishing a committee to study implementation of a public interest standard for a telecommunication utility merger, consolidation, reorganization, or sale by the public utilities commission.


HB 1314 – AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

25Mar2014… 0893h

2014 SESSION

14-2478

06/01

HOUSE BILL 1314

AN ACT establishing a committee to study implementation of a public interest standard for a telecommunication utility merger, consolidation, reorganization, or sale by the public utilities commission.

SPONSORS: Rep. DiSilvestro, Hills 9

COMMITTEE: Science, Technology and Energy

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill establishes a committee to study the implementation of a public interest standard for mergers, consolidations, reorganizations, or sales involving telecommunication utilities and to make recommendations for proposed legislation.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

25Mar2014… 0893h

14-2478

06/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Fourteen

AN ACT establishing a committee to study implementation of a public interest standard for a telecommunication utility merger, consolidation, reorganization, or sale by the public utilities commission.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Findings. The general court finds that:

I. Access to reliable telecommunications services, including high speed broadband access, is critical to New Hampshire businesses;

II. Disruptions to telecommunications service would have a negative effect on the New?Hampshire economy; and

III. In order to protect reliable service, the sale or reorganization of certain telecommunication utilities must be in the public interest.

2 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study the implementation of a public interest standard for approval of mergers, consolidations, reorganizations, or sales involving certain telecommunication utilities.

3 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a) Four members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

4 Duties. The committee shall study the appropriateness of establishing a public interest standard for mergers, consolidations, reorganizations, or sales involving a telecommunication utility under RSA 362:2. The committee shall study the content, application, and implementation of such a standard, and shall make recommendations for proposed legislation.

5 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

6 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2014.

7 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.