This RSA section is an unofficial mirror, is not legal advice, and may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrectly processed.
RSA 374:3-b · Alternative Regulation of Small Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers
374:3-b Alternative Regulation of Small Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers. –
Copy linkIn this section, "small incumbent local exchange carrier" means an incumbent local exchange carrier serving fewer than 25,000 access lines.
Copy linkSolely at its option, a small incumbent local exchange carrier subject to rate of return regulation, and only such small incumbent local exchange carrier, may petition the public utilities commission for approval of an alternative form of regulation providing for regulation of such carrier's retail operations comparable to the regulation applied to competitive local exchange carriers, subject to paragraph III, due to its status as carrier of last resort.
Copy linkThe small incumbent local exchange carrier has 25 percent fewer access lines in service than it did on December 31, 2004;
Copy linkThe plan provides for maximum stand-alone basic local service rates at levels that do not exceed the comparable rates charged by the largest incumbent local exchange carrier operating in the state and that do not increase by more than 5 percent in each of the 4 years after a plan is approved with the exception that the plan may provide for additional rate adjustments, with public utilities commission review and approval, to reflect changes in federal, state, or local government taxes, mandates, rules, regulations, or statutes;
Copy linkThe plan preserves universal access to affordable stand-alone basic telephone service; and
Copy linkThe plan provides that, if the small incumbent local exchange carrier operating under the plan fails to meet any of the conditions set out in this section, the public utilities commission may require the small incumbent local exchange carrier to propose modifications to the alternative regulation plan or return to rate of return regulation.
Copy linkThe alternative regulation plan may allow the small incumbent local exchange carrier to offer bundled services that include combinations of telecommunications, data, video, and other services.
Copy linkFollowing approval of the alternative regulation plan, the small incumbent local exchange carrier shall no longer be subject to rate of return regulation or be required to file affiliate contracts or seek prior commission approval of financings or corporate organizational changes, including, without limitation, mergers, acquisitions, corporate restructurings, issuance or transfer of securities, or the sale, lease, or other transfer of assets or control.
Copy linkNotwithstanding any other provision of law, competitive entry in the service territory of a small incumbent local exchange carrier which has petitioned for approval of an alternative regulation plan, is consistent with the public good for the specific purpose of RSA 374:22-g and approval of such competitive entry shall not require a hearing as required under RSA 374:26. Source. 2005, 263:7. 2006, 154:1, eff. July 21, 2006. 2011, 175:1, eff. June 14, 2011.
Copy linkSource note
Source. 2005, 263:7. 2006, 154:1, eff. July 21, 2006. 2011, 175:1, eff. June 14, 2011.
Source history
- 2005, 263:7
- 2006, 154:1, eff. July 21, 2006
- 2011, 175:1, eff. June 14, 2011
Related materials
Bill relationships
-
2026 HB1743
amend
mart meters. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Public Utilities; Smart Meter Radiation Disclosure. Amend RSA 374 by inserting after section 2-a the following new section: 374:2-b Smart Meter Radiation Disclosure. I. Each electric utility operating in the state shall provide an annual written statement to each utility account h
-
2026 HB1743-FN
amend
mart meters. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Public Utilities; Smart Meter Radiation Disclosure. Amend RSA 374 by inserting after section 2-a the following new section: 374:2-b Smart Meter Radiation Disclosure. I. Each electric utility operating in the state shall provide an annual written statement to each utility account h
-
2026 HB1745
amend · effective 2027-01-01
ity costs to ratepayers. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Prohibited Cost Recovery Through Rates. Amend RSA 374 by inserting after section 2-a the following new section: 374:2-b Prohibited Cost Recovery Through Rates. I. No public utility shall recover through rates any costs associated with its attendance at, participation i
-
2026 HB1745-FN
amend · effective 2027-01-01
ity costs to ratepayers. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Prohibited Cost Recovery Through Rates. Amend RSA 374 by inserting after section 2-a the following new section: 374:2-b Prohibited Cost Recovery Through Rates. I. No public utility shall recover through rates any costs associated with its attendance at, participation i
-
2026 SB540
amend · effective 2027-01-01
Each plug-in solar generation system shall be installed and operated in accordance with the state building code and manufacturer instructions. 4 New Section; Liability. Amend RSA 374 by inserting after section 1-a the following new section: 374:1-b Liability for Plug-In Solar Generation Systems. An electric distribution utility shall not be liable for damage, injury, or compensation or charges ari
-
2026 SB540-FN
amend · effective 2027-01-01
Each plug-in solar generation system shall be installed and operated in accordance with the state building code and manufacturer instructions. 4 New Section; Liability. Amend RSA 374 by inserting after section 1-a the following new section: 374:1-b Liability for Plug-In Solar Generation Systems. An electric distribution utility shall not be liable for damage, injury, or compensation or charges ari