AN ACT relating to the designation of telecommunications carriers.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article 3 of Chapter 62 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

§ 62‑30.1.  Designating telecommunications carriers; rules.

(a)        Notwithstanding G.S. 62‑3(23)j. or G.S. 62‑30, the Utilities Commission may, solely upon petition of any provider or reseller of mobile radio communications service, designate the petitioning provider or reseller of mobile radio communications service as an eligible telecommunications carrier pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 54.201 for purposes of providing Lifeline service. The Commission may adopt rules to effectuate the purposes of this section.

(b)        Nothing in this section shall confer upon the Utilities Commission any regulatory jurisdiction over providers or resellers of mobile radio communications service that have been previously designated as eligible telecommunications carriers for purposes of providing Lifeline service prior to the enactment of this section.

SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.