REQUESTING THE PUBLIC REGULATION COMMISSION TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF THE EQUIPMENT AND INVESTMENTS CLAIMED BY US WEST.

WHEREAS, the federal communications commission conducts periodic audits of telecommunications corporations; and

WHEREAS, on March 12, 1999, the federal communications commission released an audit of the property and investment records of the regional Bell operating companies, including US West; and

WHEREAS, the audit reveals an estimated seven hundred eighteen million dollar ($718,000,000) discrepancy in equipment registered within US West territory; and

WHEREAS, US West has been earning a profit on equipment that may not exist or may no longer be in service; and

WHEREAS, through their monthly basic service charges, customers of US West may have been paying for investments not made in their state; and

WHEREAS, it is unknown how much of the seven hundred eighteen million dollar ($718,000,000) discrepancy is ascribed to New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, the continued charging of New Mexico customers for equipment and investment that may not exist or may not be in service is not in the public interest; and

WHEREAS, the public regulation commission is the only body in New Mexico capable of conducting a statewide audit of the property and investment made by telecommunications corporations within New Mexico;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the public regulation commission be requested to conduct an audit of the equipment and investments claimed by US West and report the results of the audit to the legislature by December 31, 1999; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all money due the customers of US West be returned to the customers as soon as possible; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the members of the public regulation commission.