Public Utility Commission
Chapter 860
Division 22
RATES
860-022-0042
Relating to City Privilege Taxes, Fees, and Other Assessments Imposed Upon a Large Telecommunications Utility
(1) The aggregate amount of all privilege taxes and fees and other assessments imposed upon a large telecommunications utility by any city in Oregon for engaging in business within such city or for use and occupancy of city streets and public ways, whether applied to regulated revenues, net income, or other bases, shall be allowed as operating expenses of the large telecommunications utility for rate-making purposes, subject to sections (2) through (4) of this rule.
(2) As used in this rule:
(a) "Fees and other assessments" means business or occupation taxes or licenses; franchise or operating permit fees; sales, use, net income, gross receipts, and payroll taxes, levies, or charges; and other similar exactions imposed by cities, other than ad valorem taxes, upon revenues or income received from regulated telecommunications services by a large telecommunications utility;
(b) "Local access revenues" means those revenues derived from exchange access services within the city, as defined in ORS 401.710, less related net uncollectibles;
(c) "Privilege taxes" means taxes levied and collected by cities from a large telecommunications utility for use and occupancy of city streets, alleys, or highways, as provided under ORS 221.515;
(d) "Regulated revenues" means those revenues derived from regulated telecommunications services within the city less related net uncollectibles. Regulated revenues include, but are not limited to, local access revenues.
(3) Separate fees for street opening, installations, construction, and maintenance of fixtures or facilities to the extent such fees or charges are reasonably related to the city’s costs for inspection, supervision, and regulation in the exercise of its police powers shall be allowed as operating expenses of a large telecommunications utility for rate-making purposes. Such fees shall not be deducted in computing the percentage level set forth in section (4) of this rule.
(4) The aggregate amount of all privilege taxes and fees and other assessments imposed upon a large telecommunications utility by a city, which does not exceed 4 percent of local access revenues, shall be allowed as operating expenses for rate-making purposes and shall not be itemized or billed separately. All privilege taxes and fees and other assessments in excess of 4 percent of local access revenues shall be charged pro rata to users of local access services within the city, and the aggregate excess amount shall be separately itemized on customers’ bills or billed separately.
(5) The amount allowed as an operating expense may be described on customers’ bills in a manner determined by the large telecommunications utility.
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183, 756 & 759
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 759.105
History:
PUC 14-2003, f. & cert. ef. 7-24-03
PUC 16-2001, f. & cert. ef. 6-21-01
PUC 7-1998, f. & cert. ef. 4-8-98
PUC 14-1990, f. & cert. ef. 7-11-90 (Order No. 90-1031)