Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 110 Part 1.djvu/153

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PUBLIC LAW 104-104—FEB. 8, 1996 110 STAT. 129 provision of this Act that the Commission has determined to forbear from applying under subsection (a).". SEC. 402. BIENNIAL REVIEW OF REGULATIONS; REGULATORY RELIEF. (a) BIENNIAL REVIEW.— Title I is amended by inserting after section 10 (as added by section 401) the following new section: " SEC. 11. REGULATORY REFORM. 47 USC 161. "(a) BIENNIAL REVIEW OF REGULATIONS.—In every even-num - bered year (beginning with 1998), the Commission— "(1) shall review all regulations issued under this Act in effect at the time of the review that apply to the operations or activities of any provider of telecommunications service; and "(2) shall determine whether any such regulation is no longer necessary in the public interest as the result of meaningful economic competition between providers of such service. "(b) EFFECT OF DETERMINATION.—The Commission shall repeal or modify any regulation it determines to be no longer necessary in the public interest.". (b) REGULATORY RELIEF.— (1) STREAMLINED PROCEDURES FOR CHANGES IN CHARGES, CLASSIFICATIONS, REGULATIONS, OR PRACTICES.— (A) Section 204(a) (47 U.S.C. 204(a)) is amended— (i) by striking "12 months" the first place it appears in paragraph (2)(A) and inserting "5 months"; (ii) by striking "effective," and all that follows in paragraph (2)(A) and inserting "effective."; and (iii) by adding at the end thereof the following: "(3) A local exchange carrier may file with the Commission a new or revised charge, classification, regulation, or practice on a streamlined basis. Any such charge, classification, regulation, or practice shall be deemed lawful and shall be effective 7 days (in the case of a reduction in rates) or 15 days (in the case of an increase in rates) after the date on which it is filed with the Commission unless the Commission takes action under paragraph (1) before the end of that 7-day or 15-day period, as is appropriate.". (B) Section 208(b) (47 U.S.C. 208(b)) is amended— (i) by striking "12 months" the first place it appears in paragraph (1) and inserting "5 months"; and (ii) by striking "filed," and all that follows in paragraph (1) and inserting "filed.". (2) EXTENSIONS OF LINES UNDER SECTION 214; ARMIS 47 USC 214 note. REPORTS.—The Commission shall permit any common carrier— (A) to be exempt from the requirements of section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934 for the extension of any line; and (B) to file cost allocation manuals and ARMIS reports annually, to the extent such carrier is required to file such manuals or reports. (3) FORBEARANCE AUTHORITY NOT LIMITED.—Nothing in this 47 USC 204 note. subsection shall be construed to limit the authority of the Commission to waive, modify, or forbear from appl3n[ng any of the requirements to which reference is made in paragraph (1) under any other provision of this Act or other law. (4) EFFECTIVE DATE OF AMENDMENTS. —The amendments 47 USC 204 note. made by paragraph (1) of this subsection shall apply with respect to any charge, classification, regulation, or practice