LEGISLATIVE REPORT 2
The Georgia General Assembly completed its eighth legislative day yesterday. They are not in session today and will reconvene on Monday. The budget and related issues continue to be the dominant subject.
Yesterday, the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee held a hearing to discuss telecommunications reform issues. Committee Chairman David Shafer advised the Committee of the work being done on reform legislation and provided them a detailed summary of his objectives. He expressed support for access reform, universal access fund reform and generic regulatory reform. He provided the Committee members with a draft bill similar to our most recently distributed version.
Following Chairman Shafer’s introduction, the Committee received testimony from eleven individuals representing ILEC, CLEC, CMRS, cable and public interest organizations. The Committee will meet again next Thursday, February 4, 2010, to receive additional testimony and possibly take action.
Chairman Shafer did an excellent job leading the Committee and insuring that its members were well informed on this critical issue. The Committee members likewise were well engaged in the discussion and asked good and knowledgeable questions. Chairman Shafer and the Committee members are to be commended for their commitment to appropriately addressing this complex issue.
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