By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – A House committee has approved a bill to remove some of BellSouth Corporation's operations from the oversight of the Alabama Public Service Commission. The House State Government Committee approved the bill Wednesday. A similar bill was approved Tuesday by the Senate Commerce, Transportation and Utilities Committee. House sponsor Tuscumbia Representative Marcel Black says the bill will encourage more competition among providers of telecommunications services in Alabama. The bill now goes to the full House for debate. Representatives Jay Love of Montgomery and Arthur Payne of Trussville did vote no on the measure. About 25 protesters also marched around the Statehouse carrying signs urging lawmakers to kill the bill. The protesters say the legislation will lead to higher rates and poorer service for telecommunications customers in Alabama.