HR 4018 IH.
Re: "Truth in Billing" Act.
Source: Library of Congress.

HR 4018 IH

105th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 4018

To identify the current levels of savings and costs to telecommunications carriers as a result of the enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, to require accurate billing by telecommunications carriers with respect to the costs and fees resulting from the enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 9, 1998

Mr. BLUMENAUER (for himself, Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts, Mr. BALDACCI, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA, Mrs. MORELLA, Ms. FURSE, and Mr. DEFAZIO) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce

A BILL

To identify the current levels of savings and costs to telecommunications carriers as a result of the enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, to require accurate billing by telecommunications carriers with respect to the costs and fees resulting from the enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. STUDY OF COSTS AND SAVINGS TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS.

(a) STUDY- The Comptroller General shall conduct a study of the following:

(1) the total cost savings to that telecommunications carriers have obtained as a result of the enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996;

(2) the extent to which such cost savings have been passed through to the customers of such telecommunications carriers; and

(3) any additional costs which telecommunications carriers have incurred as a result of the enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

(b) SUBMISSION OF REPORT- The Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the study required by subsection (a) within 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

(c) REVIEW OF RECORDS-

(1) AUTHORITY- For purposes of the investigation under subsection (a), the Comptroller General may obtain from any telecommunications carrier any record of the carrier that is relevant to the investigation.

(2) USE- The Comptroller General may use records obtained under this subsection only for purposes of the investigation.

SEC. 3. REQUIREMENTS FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS IMPOSING CERTAIN FEES FOR SERVICES.

(a) REQUIREMENTS- Any telecommunications carrier that includes on any of the bills sent to its customers a charge described in subsection (b) shall--

(1) specify in the bill imposing such charge any reduction in charges or fees allocable to all classes of customers (including customers of residential basic service, customers of other residential services, small business customers, and other business customers) by reason of any regulatory action of the Federal Government; and

(2) submit to the Federal Communications Commission the reports required to be submitted by the carrier to the Securities and Exchange Commission under sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a), 78o(d)).

(b) COVERED CHARGES- Subsection (a) applies in the case of the following charges:

(1) Any specific charge included after June 30, 1997, if the imposition of the charge is attributed to a regulatory action of the Federal Government.

(2) Any specific charge included before that date if the description of the charge is changed after that date to attribute the imposition of the charge to a regulatory action of the Federal Government.