Act No. 31

Public Acts of 1999

Approved by the Governor

May 27, 1999

Filed with the Secretary of State

May 28, 1999

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 28, 1999

STATE OF MICHIGAN

90TH LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 1999

Introduced by Rep. Gilbert

ENROLLED HOUSE BILL No. 4418

AN ACT to amend 1991 PA 179, entitled ''An act to regulate and insure the availability of certain telecommunication services; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state agencies and officials; to prescribe penalties; to repeal certain acts and parts of acts; and to repeal this act on a specific date,'' by amending section 316 (MCL 484.2316), as amended by 1997 PA 183.

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

Sec. 316. (1) The commission shall require each provider of residential basic local exchange service to offer certain low income customers the availability of basic local exchange service and access service at reduced rates as described in subsections (2) and (3).

(2) Except as provided under subsections (3) and (4), the rate reductions for low income customers shall be at a minimum, 20% of the basic local exchange rate or $8.25, which shall be inclusive of any federal contribution, whichever is greater.

(3) If the low income customer is 65 years of age or more, the rate reduction shall be at a minimum, 25% of the basic local exchange rate or $8.25, which shall be inclusive of any federal contribution, whichever is greater.

(4) The total reduction under subsection (2) or (3) shall not exceed 100% of all end-user common line charges and the basic local exchange rate.

(5) To qualify for the reduced rate under this section, the person's annual income shall not exceed 150% of the federal poverty income standards as determined by the United States office of management and budget and as approved by the state treasurer.

(6) The commission shall establish a rate for each subscriber line of a provider to allow the provider to recover costs incurred under this section.

(7) The commission shall take necessary action to notify the general public of the availability of lifeline services including, but not limited to, public service announcements, newspaper notices, and such other notice reasonably calculated to reach those who may benefit from the services.

This act is ordered to take immediate effect.

Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Secretary of the Senate.

Approved

Governor.