SB37 Alabama 2021 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: David SessionsSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2021
Title: Public Service Commission, telecommunication services, retail services, to restore the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission, Sec. 37-2A-4 am'd.
Summary: SB37 would restore the Public Service Commission's authority to handle certain customer complaints about retail telecommunications services and bundled offerings that Act 2014-82 removed.
What This Bill Does
The bill amends Section 37-2A-4 to re-establish PSC jurisdiction over specific retail telecom complaints and bundled offerings. It preserves limits on PSC power (e.g., no regulation of broadband, VoIP, or information services) and outlines how complaints are handled, including billing issues and service establishment or disruption, with guidance on using contract terms and potential mediation. It also retains some federal-law alignment, unbundling requirements to FCC standards, and requirements related to tariff and service transitions, while allowing carriers to elect to withdraw from PSC complaint jurisdiction under certain conditions.

Who It Affects
Consumers who purchase retail telecommunications services or bundled offerings, who would have PSC as the venue for certain complaints such as inaccurate billing or service issues.
Telecommunications carriers, including incumbent local exchange carriers, who may be required to unbundle networks, must follow PSC complaint procedures, and may elect to remove themselves from PSC complaint jurisdiction under certain rules.

Key Provisions
Restores PSC jurisdiction over certain retail telecommunications complaints and bundled offerings (reversing Act 2014-82).
PSC cannot regulate broadband, broadband-enabled services, VoIP, or information services (limits on scope).
PSC may require incumbents to unbundle networks, but not beyond FCC standards (unbundling limits).
PSC retains exclusive complaint jurisdiction for issues such as inaccurate billing, billing for services not ordered, and establishment or disruption of service; allows complaint proceedings and mediation; applies Truth in Billing rules as per FCC.
Limits on regulation of new bundled offerings and new contract offerings; existing bundles/contracts may still be regulated under certain provisions; no PSC regulation of facilities.
Tariffs for remaining services stay in effect until PSC jurisdiction ends and until last contract offering expires or is replaced; carriers must notify the PSC of expiration/replacement dates.
Requires carriers to file confidential plans to protect family violence shelter locations; plans updated every 24 months and reviewed by the commission with input from the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
After February 25, 2014, carriers may elect to be removed from PSC complaint jurisdiction for certain retail telecom services, effective upon filing and changeable once per year.
Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Public Service Commission