DREIER SETS THURS. DEADLINE FOR TAUZIN-DINGELL AMENDMENTS

House Rules Committee Chmn. Dreier (R-Cal.) announced Wed. on House floor that members must submit amendments to data deregulation bill (HR-1542) by House Commerce Committee Chmn. Tauzin (R-La.) and ranking Democrat Dingell (Mich.) by 2 p.m. today (Thurs.), leading observers to believe bill would go to House floor Fri. Although House Judiciary Committee earlier this year had sent an amended version of HR-1542 to full House with negative referral, Judiciary Chmn. James Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) has been negotiating with Tauzin to present compromise version. Sensenbrenner and other Judiciary members have sought to temper deregulatory bill by expanding Dept. of Justice oversight of Bell companies seeking long distance authority.

Version of Tauzin-Dingell marked up by Commerce Committee, rather than compromise bill that was expected to be negotiated by midweek. will be reviewed by Rules Committee. Rules staffer couldn’t explain why Commerce, not Judiciary, version was selected and Judiciary spokesman wouldn’t confirm status of negotiations between Tauzin and Sensenbrenner. Likewise, Commerce Committee spokesman Ken Johnson would say only: “We are looking forward to a healthy debate over Tauzin-Dingell, followed by its quick passage.”

Resolution of negotiations focused on Sensenbrenner’s push to expand Dept. of Justice role in reviewing Bell company applications for long distance authority. House Majority Leader Armey (R-Texas) said he was meeting with Tauzin and Sensenbrenner Tues. afternoon to discuss possible compromise, but couldn’t be learned what occurred at meeting.

HR-1542 would ensure that Bells could provide Internet backbone and high-speed Internet services across their respective interLATA boundaries without needing FCC approval. However, Sensenbrenner amendment, which Judiciary Committee referred (CD June 14 p2) to full House in June, would require Bells to file applications with DoJ before offering such services. Amendment effectively would overturn a 7th U.S. Appeals Court, Chicago, Goldwasser v. Ameritech decision that gave antitrust law backseat to Telecom Act in resolution of telecom market disputes.