PROPOSED RULES
COMMISSION
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 12-09-084.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 480-120-251 Directory service, this rule making proposes modifications to, or the elimination of, the requirement that local exchange companies provide each customer a copy of a telephone directory for the customer's exchange area.
Hearing Location(s): Commission Hearing Room 206, Second Floor, Richard Hemstad Building, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, WA 98504-7250, on September 12, 2012, at 9:30 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: September 12, 2012.
Submit Written Comments to: Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504-7250, e-mail records@utc.wa.gov, fax (360) 586-8203, by August 20, 2012. Please include: "Docket UT-120451" in your comments.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Debbie Aguilar by August 29, 2012, TTY (360) 586-8203 or (360) 664-1132.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The proposal revises the existing rule to require local exchange carriers to distribute white pages telephone directories only to customers who request them. The proposal would minimize the burden on regulated carriers to print and distribute directories and would substantially reduce the amount of waste resulting from disposal of unwanted printed directories.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: Consumers primarily rely on the internet as a resource for telephone number listings, rendering unnecessary a requirement that companies distribute printed white pages directories except to those customers who request them. Eliminating distribution of unwanted directories also enhances environmental stewardship in cooperation with cities and municipalities by reducing the volume of paper waste that must be processed and disposed of.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160.
Statute Being Implemented: Not applicable.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Washington utilities and transportation commission, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: John Cupp, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 664-1113; Implementation and Enforcement: David W. Danner, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 664-1208.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The proposed rule will not result in or impose more than minor costs. Because there will not be more than minor increase in costs resulting from the proposed rule changes, a small business economic impact statement is not required under RCW 19.85.030(1).
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The commission is not an agency to which RCW 34.05.328 applies. The proposed rule is not a significant legislative rule of the sort referenced in RCW 34.05.328(5).
July 18, 2012
David W. Danner
Executive Director
and Secretary
OTS-4885.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Docket No. UT-990146, General
Order No. R-507, filed 12/12/02, effective 7/1/03)
WAC 480-120-251
Directory service.
(1) A local exchange
company (LEC) must ensure that a telephone directory is
regularly published for each local exchange it serves, listing
the name, address (unless omission is requested), and primary
telephone number for each customer who can be called in that
local exchange and for whom subscriber list information has
been provided.
(2) Any residential customer may request from the LEC a dual-name primary directory listing that contains, in addition to the customer's surname, the customer's given name or initials (or combination thereof) and either one other person with the same surname who resides at the same address or a second name, other than surname, by which the customer is also known, including the married name of a person whose spouse is deceased.
(3) A LEC must provide ((each customer)) a written copy
of the directory for the customer's local exchange area to
each customer who requests a directory. A LEC must not
provide a written copy of the directory to any customer who
does not request a copy.
(a) A LEC must establish reasonable ways by which a customer may request a directory including, but not limited to, making all of the following options available:
(i) Calling a toll-free telephone number;
(ii) Submitting a written request via e-mail or on-line registration; or
(iii) Mailing a written request to a specified address.
(b) A LEC must provide reasonable notice to customers describing the ways by which they may request a directory including, but not limited to, all of the following forms of notice:
(i) Providing the information in at least one bill insert each calendar year;
(ii) Maintaining the information in a prominent place on the LEC's web site; and
(iii) Including the information in the consumer information guide required in subsection (6) of this section.
(c) If the directory provided for in subsection (1) of this section does not include the published listing of all exchanges within the customer's local calling area, the LEC must, upon request, provide at no charge a copy of the directory or directories that contain the published listing for the entire local calling area.
(4) Telephone directories published at the direction of a LEC must be revised at least once every fifteen months, except when it is known that impending service changes require rescheduling of directory revision dates. To keep directories correct and up to date, companies may revise the directories more often than specified.
(5) Each LEC that publishes a directory, or contracts for the publication of a directory, must print an informational listing (LEC name and telephone number) when one is requested by any other LEC providing service in the area covered by the directory. The LEC to whom the request is made may impose reasonable requirements on the timing and format of informational listings, provided that these requirements do not discriminate between LECs.
(6) Telephone directories published at the direction of the LEC must include a consumer information guide that details the rights and responsibilities of its customer. The guide must describe the:
(a) Process for establishing credit and determining the need and amount for deposits;
(b) Procedure by which a bill becomes delinquent;
(c) Steps that must be taken by the company to disconnect service;
(d) Washington telephone assistance program (WTAP);
(e) Federal enhanced tribal lifeline program, if applicable; and
(f) Right of the customer to pursue any dispute with the company, including the appropriate procedures within the company and then to the commission by informal or formal complaint.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.106. 03-01-065 (Docket No. UT-990146, General Order No. R-507), § 480-120-251, filed 12/12/02, effective 7/1/03.]