The State Corporation Commission submits this Report of the results of a study directed by House Joint Resolution No. 217 1973 Session directing the State Corporation Commission to study the desirability and feasibility of requiring toll-free telephone service within counties, normally referred to as Extended Area Service.

HJR 217 was introduced on January 22, 1973 by the Honorable Vivian Earl Dickinson of Mineral, Virginia, Louisa County. The following members of the House of Delegate were patrons:

Honorable Thomas Jefferson Rothrock, Fairfax
Honorable Alexander B. McMurtrie, Chesterfield
Honorable C. D. Dunford, Tazewell
Honorable Richard W. Elliott, Campbell
Honorable Lewis w. Parker, Jr., Mecklenburg
Honorable Frank M. Slayton, Halifax
Honorable Robert B. Ball, Sr., Henrico
Honorable Robert E. Quinn, Hampton
Honorable Robert Gwathmey, III, Hanover
Honorable John D. Gray, Hampton
Honorable Richard M. Bagley, Hampton
Honorable D. French Slaughter, Jr., Culpeper
Honorable Raymond R. Guest, Jr., Warren
Honorable Arthur R . Giesen, Jr., Augusta
Honorable Warren E. Barry, Fairfax

The Resolution was approved by the Committee on Corporations, Insurance, and Banking at a hearing on. February 1, 1973, and was passed by the House of Delegates on February 7, 1973, and by the Senate on February 20, 1973.

In the 1974 Session, Senate Bill No. 17 was introduced by Senator William E. Fears of Accomac for a similar purpose, but it was passed over upon motion of the sponsor because of the prior passage of HJR 217.

HJR 217 required that a study be made by the State Corporation Commission, to be completed and reported by December 1, 1974, of the desirability and feasibility, including its economic aspects, of toll free telephone service within certain metropolitan areas and within the boundaries of all the counties in the State.