All Roll Calls
Yes: 128 • No: 10
WyomingSF 512025 General SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT relating to the Wyoming telecommunications act; extending the sunset date of the act; amending definitions; specifying the application of the act; specifying requirements for providing price schedules to the public service commission; providing a limitation on local governments entering an exclusive agreement for provision of broadband internet access service; amending the price benchmark and credit requirements for the universal service fund; repealing conflicting provisions; and providing for an effective date.
Sponsored By: null Corporations
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Phone customers get notice and complaint protections
Local phone companies must post current prices online and electronically file simplified price schedules with the Public Service Commission. New prices and commission-authorized increases must be filed for approval 30 days before taking effect. Affected customers must receive increase notices at least one full billing cycle ahead, using the same method as their bills. Customers with noncompetitive essential phone service can challenge unreasonable prices or poor service, and providers need commission approval to discontinue that service. After required notice and hearings, the commission can order service fixes that are technically feasible and economically reasonable.
Higher phone-support benchmark, one-line credit limit
The law raises Wyoming’s phone-support price benchmark from $30 to $35. Carrier support covers eligible noncompetitive local phone prices above that benchmark, after accounting for federal support. A state-funded bill credit is limited to one line per customer or household; no fixed credit amount is stated. The commission reviews the benchmark every four years and adjusts it toward 130% of the weighted statewide average local phone price. After notice and an opportunity for a hearing, it can adjust sooner if the benchmark misses that target and warrants a change of at least 10%.
Competitive phone areas lose state support
The commission finds local phone service competitive when 75% of the relevant customer group can access an unaffiliated landline provider. If residential and business customers are counted together, the threshold is 60%. Locations found competitive lose Wyoming universal-service support and leave commission regulation for that service. Carriers can still receive support for remaining noncompetitive locations, with prices and support adjusted to account for competition. The law does not set a resulting change to household bills.
Local broadband deals face competition safeguards
Cities, towns, and other local governments face limits on exclusive phone and broadband agreements. After public notice and an opportunity for a hearing, they must find that no private provider offers substantially similar service. They must request matching service quality, timing, and consumer prices from private providers, allowing 90 days to agree. Exclusivity is allowed only if private providers fail to agree or fail to start service or construction as agreed. Access to public rights-of-way and support structures must be nondiscriminatory, nonexclusive, and competitively neutral. Municipal service in the covered utility area must also follow those standards and charge enough to cover costs, including imputed costs.
Wyoming extends but narrows phone oversight
Beginning July 1, 2025, Wyoming’s updated telecommunications law runs until July 1, 2031, extending the previous sunset by six years. General state oversight now covers only noncompetitive essential phone services, including basic local phone service. Wireless services and private networks are generally excluded, but all providers still owe universal-service contributions and specified assessments. Wireless providers also remain subject to listed federal carrier-designation and state support rules. The Public Service Commission can set wholesale service rules, including rates, terms, and connections between phone companies’ networks. The law also repeals specified provisions whose separate effects are not explained in the supplied text.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
null Corporations
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/3/2025
H 3rd Reading:Passed 60-0-2-0-0
Yes: 60 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/3/2025
S Concur:Passed 28-3-0-0-0
Yes: 28 • No: 3
House vote • 2/24/2025
H07 - Corporations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/28/2025
S 3rd Reading:Passed 22-7-2-0-0
Yes: 22 • No: 7
Senate vote • 1/24/2025
S02 - Appropriations:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/20/2025
S07 - Corporations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 4-0-1-0-0
Yes: 4 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Assigned Chapter Number 135
3/12/2025Governor Signed SEA No. 0070
3/12/2025GovernorH Speaker Signed SEA No. 0070
3/4/2025HouseS President Signed SEA No. 0070
3/4/2025SenateAssigned Number SEA No. 0070
3/3/2025S Concur:Passed 28-3-0-0-0
3/3/2025SenateS Received for Concurrence
3/3/2025SenateH 3rd Reading:Passed 60-0-2-0-0
3/3/2025HouseH 2nd Reading:Passed
2/28/2025HouseH COW:Passed
2/27/2025HouseH Placed on General File
2/24/2025HouseH07 - Corporations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0
2/24/2025HouseH Introduced and Referred to H07 - Corporations
2/14/2025HouseH Received for Introduction
1/29/2025HouseS 3rd Reading:Passed 22-7-2-0-0
1/28/2025SenateS 2nd Reading:Passed
1/27/2025SenateS COW:Passed
1/24/2025SenateS Placed on General File
1/24/2025SenateS02 - Appropriations:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0
1/24/2025Senate:Rerefer to S02 - Appropriations
1/20/2025SenateS07 - Corporations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 4-0-1-0-0
1/20/2025SenateS Introduced and Referred to S07 - Corporations
1/14/2025SenateS Received for Introduction
1/2/2025SenateBill Number Assigned
12/20/2024
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
Introduced
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