§ 80.36.410 — Washington telephone assistance program—Findings.

Washington § 80.36.410

• Jurisdiction: Washington
• Title 80: PUBLIC UTILITIES
• Ch. 80.36: TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Text

(1) The legislature finds that universal telephone service is an important policy goal of the state. The legislature further finds that: (a) Recent changes in the telecommunications industry, such as federal access charges, raise concerns about the ability of low-income persons to continue to afford access to local exchange telephone service; and (b) many low-income persons making the transition to independence from receiving supportive services through community agencies do not qualify for economic assistance from the department.

(2) Therefore, the legislature finds that: (a) It is in the public interest to take steps to mitigate the effects of these changes on low-income persons; and (b) advances in telecommunications technologies, such as community service voice mail provide new and economically efficient ways to secure many of the benefits of universal service to low-income persons who are not customers of local exchange telephone service.

Effective date — 2003 c 134: See note following RCW 80.36.005 .

Legislative History

[2003 c 134 s 2;2002 c 104 s 2;1987 c 229 s 3.]