Chapter 237 — Telecommunications Goals

237.01 Definitions Defines key terms used in the telecom chapter, like telephone company, telecom carrier, and local exchange carrier. 237.011 Telecommunications Goals Sets state goals for telecom regulation, including universal service, fair rates, and privacy protection. 237.012 Broadband Goals Sets state goals for broadband internet access, including speed targets and universal availability. 237.02 General Authority of Department and Commission; Definitions Gives the Department of Commerce and PUC authority to regulate telephone and telecom companies in Minnesota. 237.025 Competitive Market Regulation Allows the PUC to reduce regulation of telecom services in competitive markets. 237.03 Scope of Law Applies railroad regulation laws to telephone companies where applicable. 237.035 Telecommunications Carrier Exemption Limits how much telecom carriers are regulated compared to traditional phone companies. 237.036 Coin-operated or Public Pay Telephones States that no PUC approval is needed to place or operate a public pay telephone. 237.04 Wire Crossing or Paralleling Utility Line; Rules Gives the Department of Commerce power to resolve disputes when utility wires cross or run near other utility lines. 237.045 Railroad Rights-of-way; Crossing or Paralleling by Utilities Sets rules for utility lines that cross or run alongside railroad rights-of-way. 237.05 Enforcement Authority Gives the Department of Commerce power to enforce wire-crossing rules and order removal of noncompliant lines. 237.06 Rates and Deposits Requires phone companies to provide adequate service at fair and reasonable rates. 237.065 Rate for School or Purchasing Cooperative Requires phone companies to offer flat-rate basic service to schools and purchasing cooperatives. 237.066 State Government Pricing Plans Lets the state negotiate special telecom pricing plans for government agencies and schools. 237.067 Establishment Exempt From Regulation Exempts certain business phone systems from PUC regulation if they serve only internal users. 237.068 Section repealed. Former provision removed by 2014 legislation. 237.069 Tracer; Harassing Telephone Call; Rules Requires the PUC to adopt rules for how phone companies handle requests to trace harassing calls. 237.07 Filing Requirements Requires phone companies to file their rates and charges with the PUC. 237.071 Special Pricing Allows phone companies to offer special pricing to specific customers when cost differences justify it. 237.072 Limitation on Rate Change Limits large phone companies from changing retail rates without a full revenue review. 237.075 Rate Change Sets the process phone companies must follow to change their rates, including notice and hearings. 237.076 Settlement; Procedures Establishes rules for settling rate disputes between phone companies and the PUC. 237.078 Informal Review and Resolution of Disputes Creates a process for telecom providers to resolve disputes informally through the department. 237.08 Section repealed. Former provision removed by 1977 legislation. 237.081 Investigation Gives the PUC power to investigate phone companies on its own or after receiving complaints. 237.082 Telecommunication Rate and Service Goals Lists goals the PUC should consider when setting telecom rates, including efficient investment and fair access. 237.09 Discrimination Prohibited Prohibits phone companies from discriminating between customers in rates or service quality. 237.10 Uniform Rules, Classifications, Practices; Forms Requires the PUC to set uniform accounting rules for phone companies, matching federal standards where possible. 237.101 Electronic Billing Lets phone companies send bills electronically if the customer agrees in writing. 237.11 Inspecting Records and Property; Reports Required Requires phone companies to keep records in Minnesota and file annual reports with the department. 237.115 Information Subject to Protective Order Requires the PUC to close meetings when discussing information protected by a court order. 237.12 Service Connection Between Telephone Companies Requires phone companies to connect their systems so customers can call between networks. 237.121 Prohibited Practices Lists actions phone companies and telecom carriers are prohibited from taking. 237.13 Section repealed. Former provision removed by 1987 legislation. 237.131 Intrastate Call Routing Bans telecom providers from using call routing that causes calls to fail within Minnesota. 237.132 Registration of Wholesale Transport Providers Requires wholesale transport providers to register with the PUC and provide contact information. 237.14 Rate for Service to Officer Lets phone companies give free or reduced service to employees, but must charge full rates to everyone else. 237.15 Investigation and Hearing; Authority Delegated Gives the department power to investigate and value phone company property, and hire experts to help. 237.155 Credit for Incorrect Directory Assistance Requires phone companies to give an immediate credit when directory assistance provides wrong information. 237.16 Local Exchange Competition, Rules Establishes rules for competition in local phone service, including certificates of authority. 237.161 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 237.162 Public Right-of-way; Definitions Defines terms related to telecom companies' use of public roads and rights-of-way. 237.163 Use and Regulation of Public Right-of-way Sets rules for how telecom companies can use public roads and rights-of-way for their lines and equipment. 237.164 Universal Service Discount for School or Library Requires the PUC to set telecom discounts for schools and libraries to match federal programs. 237.17 Extension of Long-distance Line Allows phone companies to extend long-distance lines through any city for long-distance service only. 237.18 Section repealed. Former provision removed by 2014 legislation. 237.181 Customer Transition Plans for Areas With Voip Alternatives Sets requirements for customer transition plans when a phone company switches an area to VoIP service. 237.19 Municipal Telecommunications Services Allows cities to own and operate their own telephone systems, including by purchasing existing ones. 237.20 Condemnation: Notice, Compensation, Appeal Sets the process for a city to take a phone company's property through condemnation, including hearings and appeals. 237.21 Valuation of Telephone Property Sets rules for valuing phone company property for ratemaking, banning value from free government franchises. 237.22 Depreciation; Amortization Gives the PUC power to set depreciation and amortization methods for phone company property. 237.23 Acquiring Property of Another Company Makes it illegal for a phone company to buy another phone company without PUC approval. 237.231 Sale of Local Exchange Service Requires PUC approval before a phone company can sell its local exchange service to another company. 237.24 Transcribed Copy of Record, Expense Requires the PUC to keep records of all hearings and provide transcripts to parties who pay for them. 237.25 Appeal From Decision of Commission Allows any party or the attorney general to appeal a PUC order to court under the Administrative Procedure Act. 237.26 Order Final and Conclusive Makes PUC orders final and binding if no appeal is filed within the allowed time. 237.27 Attorney General to Compel Obedience Requires the attorney general to seek a court order forcing a phone company to obey the law or PUC orders. 237.28 Burden of Proof Places the burden of proof on the phone company to show its rates are reasonable in PUC investigations. 237.29 Section repealed. Former provision removed by earlier legislation. 237.295 Assessment of Regulatory Expenses Requires telecom companies to pay fees to cover the cost of state regulatory activities. 237.30 Telephone Investigation Fund; Appropriation Creates a special fund to pay for state investigations of phone companies, funded by the companies themselves. 237.31 Section repealed. Former provision removed by earlier legislation. 237.32 Section repealed. Former provision removed by earlier legislation. 237.33 Section repealed. Former provision removed by 2014 legislation. 237.34 Section repealed. Former provision removed by 2014 legislation. 237.35 Section repealed. Former provision removed by 2014 legislation. 237.36 Section repealed. Former provision removed by 2014 legislation. 237.37 Section repealed. Former provision removed by 2014 legislation. 237.38 Section repealed. Former provision removed by 2014 legislation. 237.39 Section repealed. Former provision removed by 2014 legislation. 237.40 Section repealed. Former provision removed by 2014 legislation. 237.41 Section repealed. Former provision removed by 1987 legislation. 237.411 Reduced Rate Regulation for Certain Business Customers Allows reduced rate regulation for phone service to large business customers. 237.414 Expanded Calling Areas; Transport Facilities; Terminations Sets rules for expanded local calling areas and how phone companies share transport costs. 237.42 Section repealed. Former provision removed by 1987 legislation. 237.43 Section repealed. Former provision removed by 1987 legislation. 237.435 Annual Universal Service Funding Certification Requires the PUC to apply the same standards when certifying any carrier for federal universal service funding. 237.44 Section repealed. Former provision removed by 2014 legislation. 237.45 Section repealed. Former provision removed by 2014 legislation. 237.46 Gross Misdemeanor Violation Makes it a gross misdemeanor for a phone company or its officers to violate telecom laws. 237.461 Enforcement Gives the PUC and attorney general power to enforce telecom laws through fines and court actions. 237.462 Section repealed. Former provision removed by later legislation. 237.47 Section repealed. Former provision removed by 2014 legislation. 237.49 Combined Local Access Surcharge Requires phone companies to collect a combined surcharge from each subscriber for 911 and other programs. 237.491 Combined per Number Fee Establishes a combined per-number fee that telecom providers must collect and remit to the state. 237.50 Definitions Defines terms for the Telecommunications Access Minnesota program for people with communication disabilities. 237.51 Telecommunications Access Minnesota Program Administration Creates the Telecommunications Access Minnesota program to help people with disabilities use phone services. 237.52 Telecommunications Access Minnesota Fund Establishes the Telecommunications Access Minnesota Fund, paid for by a surcharge on phone lines. 237.53 Telecommunications Devices and Interconnectivity Products Provides free telecom devices to eligible Minnesotans with communication disabilities. 237.54 Telecommunications Relay Services (trs) Establishes telecommunications relay services so people with hearing or speech disabilities can make phone calls. 237.55 Annual Report on Telecommunications Access Requires the commerce commissioner to report annually on telecom accessibility for people with disabilities. 237.56 Adequate Service Enforcement Allows enforcement of telecom access requirements upon complaint from affected persons. 237.57 Definitions Defines terms for the extended area service (EAS) and toll-free calling provisions. 237.5799 Section repealed or reserved. No active content. 237.58 Sets the process for petitioning to expand a local calling area through extended area service. 237.59 Classification of Competitive Service; Hearing Establishes rules for implementing extended area service after voter approval. 237.60 Discriminatory Practices; Service Costs Defines service categories (noncompetitive, emerging competition, effectively competitive) for regulatory purposes. 237.61 Expedited Proceeding Sets rules for changing a service's competitive classification and related rate adjustments. 237.62 Creates the Minnesota Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP) to subsidize phone service for low-income households. 237.625 Requires phone companies to offer basic local service at affordable rates in their territory. 237.626 Promotion Activities Establishes reporting requirements for telecom service quality and customer complaints. 237.63 Sets eligibility and application rules for the telephone assistance program for low-income customers. 237.64 Registration; Bond Establishes the Telephone Assistance Fund to pay for low-income phone service discounts. 237.65 Provides telephone service discounts for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. 237.66 Disclosure of Local Service Options Requires caller ID information to be transmitted accurately and prohibits ID spoofing. 237.661 Antislamming Defines terms for the telephone-caller fraud prevention provisions. 237.662 Notice and Disclosure Requirements of Long-distance Providers Prohibits telephone-caller fraud, including misleading sales calls and deceptive practices. 237.663 Loading Creates enforcement tools and penalties for telephone-caller fraud violations. 237.665 Prohibition Against Billing for Unauthorized Charges Regulates telephone solicitation by requiring disclosures and honoring do-not-call requests. 237.67 Requires phone companies to notify customers about optional services and how to block unwanted calls. 237.68 Regulates telephone solicitation practices and requires registration of solicitors. 237.681 Private Shared Services Addresses automatic dialing and announcement devices (robocalls) and consumer protections. 237.69 Telephone Assistance Plan; Definitions Establishes the Minnesota do-not-call list and rules for telemarketers to follow it. 237.70 Development of Telephone Assistance Plan Establishes the Telephone Assistance Program (TAP) to provide discounted service to eligible low-income customers. 237.701 Telephone Assistance Fund; Appropriation Defines terms for the Telephone Assistance Program (TAP) for low-income Minnesotans. 237.71 Tap Rules Requires phone companies to provide access to 911 emergency service. 237.711 Sets rules for 911 emergency service and cost recovery for telephone companies. 237.72 Addresses enhanced 911 service requirements including location identification. 237.73 Obtaining Service by Fraud; Injunction Establishes requirements for maintaining the 911 emergency telephone system. 237.74 Regulation of Telecommunications Carrier Prohibits interference with 911 service and sets penalties for violations. 237.75 Class Service Addresses liability protection for phone companies providing 911 service in good faith. 237.76 Purpose Establishes the framework for alternative regulation of large telephone companies. 237.761 Alternative Regulation Plan; Service Defines terms for the alternative regulation plan provisions for phone companies. 237.762 Alternative Regulation Plan Rate, Price Allows phone companies to petition for an alternative regulation plan instead of traditional rate regulation. 237.763 Exemption From Earnings Regulation and Investigation Sets requirements for what an alternative regulation plan must include. 237.764 Plan Adoption; Effect Establishes the process for the PUC to review and approve alternative regulation plans. 237.765 Quality of Service Sets rules for rate changes under an alternative regulation plan. 237.766 Plan Duration and Extension Addresses service quality standards under alternative regulation plans. 237.767 Discontinuance of Service Provides for periodic review of alternative regulation plans by the PUC. 237.768 Periodic Financial Report Addresses the process for modifying or terminating an alternative regulation plan. 237.769 Rules Applicable Sets transition rules for phone companies moving to or from alternative regulation. 237.770 Subsidization Addresses infrastructure investment requirements under alternative regulation. 237.771 Discrimination Sets consumer protection requirements under alternative regulation plans. 237.772 Cost Study Methodology Addresses competition and market entry under alternative regulation. 237.773 Alternative Regulation for Small Telephone Company Provides additional requirements and limitations for alternative regulation plans. 237.774 Application of Other Laws Addresses the relationship between state and federal regulation under alternative plans. 237.775 Existing Plan Not Affected Sets reporting requirements for phone companies under alternative regulation. 237.79 Telephone Company Providing Cable Service Addresses regulation of internet and broadband services by the state. 237.80 Interexchange Telephone Service Establishes broadband development grant programs to expand internet access. 237.81 Scope Sets eligibility and application rules for broadband development grants. 237.82 Definitions; Call Location Information Addresses funding sources and administration of broadband development programs. 237.83 Disclosure of Call Location Information; Emergency Situations Establishes reporting requirements for broadband grant recipients.