FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - A House committee has held a hearing but taken no action on a telephone deregulation bill that has generated widespread opposition because of concerns raised by opponents.
Critics of the measure contend that Kentucky's poor could lose basic landline service if the measure is passed into law.
The House Tourism Development and Energy Committee listened to debate Thursday about the embattled bill, which passed the Senate in February.
Republican Sen. Paul Hornback of Shelbyville said the measure specifies that providers would have to ensure telephone service to everyone, including those living in exchanges with fewer than 5,000 customers.
Democratic House Speaker Greg Stumbo, who represents several rural communities in eastern Kentucky, is one of the leading critics of the bill.
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