15-53-128. Legislative findings and declaration of purpose. (1) The legislature finds that one measure of the state's economic competitiveness is the presence of an efficient and affordable telecommunications infrastructure using the latest technological advancements.

(2) The legislature further finds that the telecommunications industry is undergoing a dramatic change that is altering the identity of its participants, the nature of services that the industry provides, and the methods used to deliver those services.

(3) The legislature further finds that the existing method of property taxation of the telecommunications industry results in competitive inequities that hinder the investment in the state's telecommunications infrastructure.

(4) The legislature further finds that the evolving nature of the telecommunications industry necessitates changes to the existing system of property taxation that include reducing the tax rate applied to telecommunications property and imposing a replacement tax in order to:

(a) avoid placing telecommunications services providers at a competitive advantage or disadvantage;

(b) provide purchasers of telecommunications services with greater choices and lower retail prices; and

(c) preserve the revenue base of the existing property tax system for taxing jurisdictions in the state.

(5) The legislature further finds that a reduction in property tax rates applied to telecommunications services providers should be replaced with an excise tax on the purchasers of telecommunications services.

(6) The legislature further finds that taxes imposed on the telecommunications industry are in reality hidden taxes that are passed on to telecommunications customers in the form of higher prices and that such a policy is contrary to the principles of open government and a fully informed citizenry on the tax policies of the state.

(7) The legislature therefore declares that there is a compelling public need to modify the existing system of property taxation of telecommunications services providers and to impose a retail telecommunications excise tax measured by the price of retail telecommunications on the purchaser to ensure competitive neutrality and constancy of revenue to taxing jurisdictions in the state of Montana.

(8) The legislature further declares that to avoid additional competitive advantages or disadvantages, the telephone company license tax must be eliminated.