Montana Bill Would End State USF

Montana lawmakers voted last week to eliminate the state's USF. The Senate voted 48-0 to also repeal the Public Service Commission's rate regulation authority and the prohibition on cross-subsidization, forbearance of rate regulation, and discounts for schools, libraries and health care providers. The bill, HB-45, was introduced by Rep. Katie Zolnikov (R). If enacted, it would also prohibit the PSC from regulating IP-enabled services.