6182506 Public Service Commission - Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - RM28-2016-01, In The Matter of the Commission’s Rules Governing Universal Service
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PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING
RM28-2016-01, IN THE MATTER OF THE COMMISSION’S RULES GOVERNING UNIVERSAL SERVICE
1. The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (“Commission”) hereby gives notice pursuant to Sections 34-802, 2-505, and 34-2003 of the District of Columbia Code[1] of its intent to amend Chapter 28 (Universal Service) of Title 15 (Public Utilities and Cable Television) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (“DCMR”), in not less than thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NOPR”) in the D.C. Register.
2. The proposed amendments take into account changes mandated by the Federal Communications Commission’s (“FCC”) Lifeline Modernization Order.[2] The amendments change the definition of universal services to be supported by the District of Columbia Universal Service Trust Fund and the eligibility requirements.
2802 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSAL SERVICES
2802.1 District of Columbia Universal Services shall consist of the following services:
(a) Voice telephony services:
(1) Voice grade access to the public switched network or its functional equivalent, with the ability to place and receive calls;
(2) Minutes of use for local service provided at no additional cost to end users;
(3) Access to emergency services, including, access to 911 and enhanced 911 (E911) services;
(4) Toll limitation services for qualifying low-income consumers at no charge to the customer.
(b) Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS).
2820 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA LIFELINE SERVICE PROGRAM
2820.1 The District of Columbia Lifeline Service Program is a program designed to operate in conjunction with the Federal Lifeline Program, to provide a low monthly recurring rate to qualifying residential subscribers for basic local exchange service.
2820.2 In order to qualify for the Lifeline service, customers must show that they either:
(a) Fall below one hundred thirty-five percent (135%) of the Federal Poverty income guidelines for a household of that size; or
(b) Participate in one of the following federal assistance programs: Medicaid; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Supplemental Security Income; Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8); or Veterans or Survivors Pension Benefit.
2820.3 Each ETC shall file tariffs implementing a Lifeline service that is consistent with both FCC and Commission regulations.
2820.4 Lifeline subsidies shall not be available to customers on a retroactive basis.
2820.5 When the entity responsible for certifying Lifeline customers notifies an ETC that a customer no longer qualifies for Lifeline service, the Lifeline rate will revert to the serving ETC’s standard tariffed retail rate.
2820.6 Lifeline service is only available at the qualifying customer’s principal residence. An applicant for Lifeline service may report only one (1) address in the District of Columbia as the principal place of residence. Post office boxes are not acceptable designations of residence. Where applicable, an apartment number must be provided.
2820.7 Each household receiving lifeline service is limited to one (1) lifeline service. The lifeline service is non-transferable to any other person or household.
2820.8 Participants in the District’s Lifeline Program are eligible to receive Toll Restriction Service at no charge.
2820.9 District of Columbia residents who meet all eligibility requirements shall not be denied Lifeline service because of unpaid toll charges.
3. Any person interested in commenting on the subject matter of this proposed rulemaking must submit comments and reply comments in writing no later than thirty (30) days and forty-five (45) days, respectively, from the date of publication of this Notice in the D.C. Register. Comments and reply comments are to be addressed to Brinda Westbrook-Sedgwick, Commission Secretary, Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia, 1325 G Street, N.W., Suite 800, Washington D.C., 20005. After the comment period expires, the Commission will take final rulemaking action.
[1] D.C. Official Code § 34-802 (2012 Repl.); D.C. Official Code § 2-505 (2012 Repl.) and D.C. Official Code § 34-2002(g) (2012 Repl.).
[2] In the Matter of Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization, Telecommunications Carriers Eligible for Universal Service Support, Connect America Fund, WC Docket Nos. 11-42, 09-197, 10-90, Third Report and Order, Further Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration (“Lifeline Modernization Order”), rel. April 27, 2016.
