WASHINGTON-New California Public Utilities Commission member Dian Grueneich signaled she is not prepared to throw out the bill of rights for telecom consumers, saying the agency should reinstate some guidelines that are now on hold as a result of a decision earlier this year to suspend the entire rule until it can be re-examined.
“Although I am still reviewing the record in this case, I believe that there are rules included in the bill of rights that cause little, if any, concern or hardship to carriers; are consistent with changing technology; and provide protection for California consumers. I support reinstating such rules on a expedited basis,” stated Grueneich in a letter yesterday to Commissioner Susan Kennedy.
It was Kennedy’s request to stay the bill of rights that three CPUC members-including Grueneich-approved in January. Kennedy is also pushing for an inquiry to review the entire telecom regulatory framework in California. The agency was to vote on the latter initiative last month, but action has been delayed until March 17.
“My broader goal-which I believe you share-is for the commission to emerge this year with a refined BOR [bill of rights] that addresses problems with the implementation schedule and other issues raised by consumer groups and carriers, as well as responds to rapid changes in the telecommunications industry,” said Grueneich.
Grueneich plans to meet this month with industry representatives and consumer advocates to discuss telecommunications issues generally. Early next month, she is expected to gather with stakeholders to specifically address bill-of-rights issues.
Grueneich, a Democrat, and Republican Steve Poizner were appointed by GOP Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in December to replace outgoing commissioners Carl Wood and Loretta Lynch. Commissioners Wood, Lynch and Geoffrey Brown voted for the bill of rights last May. Kennedy and CPUC President Michael Peevey opposed the rule.
Schwarzenegger and the mobile-phone industry also are highly critical of new regulations governing wireless advertising, billing and contracts, saying the bill of rights is an unnecessary mandate that will hurt consumers and the state economy. The mobile-phone industry has challenged the bill of rights in federal court in Los Angeles.
With Grueneich indicating she wants to retain the bill of rights, the role of Poizner-who could become the decisive swing vote in bill of rights II-becomes critical.
Poizer, who sold SnapTrack Inc. to Qualcomm Inc. for $1 billion in 2000, has yet to join the CPUC. The delay in his swearing-in has been caused by CPUC’s review of a stock portfolio owned by Poizner that includes Bell telephone companies with wireless subsidiaries that oppose the bill of rights. CPUC commissioners cannot hold stock in firms regulated by the state.
Meantime, legislation has been introduced in the California legislature that would write into state law the bill of rights for telecom consumers.
