1 STATUTORY OR OTHER AUTHORITY: The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission takes this action under Notice No. WSR 03-15-142 for an expedited rule making, filed with the code reviser on July 23, 2003. The commission brings this proceeding pursuant to RCW 80.01.040, 80.04.160, 81.04.160, and 34.05.353.

     2 STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE: This proceeding complies with the Open Public Meetings Act (chapter 42.30 RCW), the Administrative Procedure Act (chapter 34.05 RCW), the State Register Act (chapter 34.08 RCW), the State Environmental Policy Act of 1971 (chapter 43.21C RCW), and the Regulatory Fairness Act (chapter 19.85 RCW).

     3 DATE OF ADOPTION: The commission adopts this rule on the date that this order is entered.

     4 CONCISE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF THE RULE: RCW 34.05.325 requires that the commission prepare and provide to commenters a concise explanatory statement about an adopted rule. The statement must include the identification of the reasons for adopting the rule, a summary of the comments received regarding the proposed rule, and responses reflecting the commission's consideration of the comments.

     5 In this docket, to avoid unnecessary duplication, the commission designates the discussion in this order as its concise explanatory statement, supplemented where not inconsistent by the staff memoranda presented at the adoption hearing and at the open meetings where the commission considered whether to propose adoption of specific language. Together, the documents provide a complete but concise explanation of the agency actions and its reasons for taking those actions.

     6 REFERENCE TO AFFECTED RULES: This rule amends or adopts the following sections of the Washington Administrative Code:

Affected Rules
Action	WAC No.	Rule Title	Changes
Chapter 480-80 WAC, Utilities general -- Tariffs, price lists, and contracts
Amend	480-80-121	Tariff changes with statutory notice.	1. Updated to reflect new legislation clarifying telecommunications tariff filings, effective July 27, 2003.
Amend	480-80-122	Tariff changes with less than statutory notice.	1. Updated to reflect new legislation simplifying processing of routine promotional and price list filings, effective July 27, 2003.
Adopt	480-80-126	Telecommunications promotional offering.	1. Added to reflect new legislation simplifying processing of promotional telecommunications tariff filings, effective July 27, 2003.
Amend	480-80-205	Effective date of price list filings.	1. Updated to reflect new legislation simplifying processing of routine promotional and price list filings, effective July 27, 2003.
Chapter 480-90 WAC, Gas companies -- Operations
Amend	480-90-153	Disclosure of private information.	1. Updated to reflect revised WAC section cross-referenced in chapter 480-80 WAC, Utilities general -- Tariffs, price lists, and contracts.
Chapter 480-100 WAC, Electric companies -- Operations
Amend	480-100-153	Disclosure of private information.	1. Updated to reflect revised WAC section cross-referenced in chapter 480-80 WAC, Utilities general -- Tariffs, price lists, and contracts.
Chapter 480-107 WAC, Electric companies -- Purchases of electricity from qualifying facilities and independent power producers and purchases of electrical savings from conservation suppliers
Amend	480-107-001	Purpose and scope.	1. Updated to reflect revised WAC section cross-referenced in chapter 480-100 WAC, Electric companies -- Operations.
Amend	480-107-005	Definitions.	1. Updated to reflect revised WAC section cross-referenced in chapter 480-100 WAC, Electric companies -- Operations.
Chapter 480-110 WAC, Water companies -- Operations
Amend	480-110-435	Extension contracts.	1. Updated to reflect revised WAC section cross-referenced in chapter 480-80 WAC, Utilities general -- Tariffs, price lists, and contracts.
Chapter 480-120 WAC, Telecommunications companies
Amend	480-120-083	Cessation of telecommunications services.	1. Updated to reflect new numbering of chapter, effective July 1, 2003.
Amend	480-120-147	Changes in local exchange and intrastate toll services.	1. Updated to correct language from "interstate" to "intraLATA."
Amend	480-120-264	Prepaid calling services.	1. Updated to reflect new numbering of chapter, effective July 1, 2003.
Amend	480-120-439	Service quality performance reports.	1. Amend to remove reference to incorrect WAC section.
Chapter 480-121 WAC, Registration, competitive classification and price lists of telecommunications companies
Amend	480-121-063	Regulatory requirements that may be waived for competitively classified telecommunications companies.	1. Revised to reflect references to repealed sections and new numbering of chapter 480-120 WAC, Telecommunications companies, effective July 1, 2003.

     7 PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY AND ACTIONS THEREUNDER: A preproposal statement of inquiry is not required under RCW 34.05.353 "Expedited rule making."

     8 NOTICE OF EXPEDITED RULE MAKING: The commission filed notice of expedited rule making (CR-105) on July 23, 2003, at WSR 03-15-142. The notice informed interested persons that the rules were being proposed under an expedited rule-making process as required by RCW 34.05.353. The commission provided notice of its expedited rule making to all persons on the commission's list of persons requesting such information pursuant to RCW 34.05.353, and by sending notice to all companies affected by the rule proposal. The notice provided interested persons the opportunity to submit written comments to the commission not later than September 22, 2003. The commission posted the relevant rule-making information on its internet website at www.wutc.wa.gov.

     9 COMMENTERS (WRITTEN COMMENTS): No comments were received on the proposed rules.

     10 RULE-MAKING HEARING: The rule proposal was considered for adoption, pursuant to the notice, at a rule-making hearing scheduled during the commission's regularly scheduled open public meeting on October 8, 2003, before Commissioner Richard Hemstad and Commissioner Patrick J. Oshie. No interested person commented.

     11 COMMISSION ACTION: After considering all of the information regarding this proposal, the commission amended and adopted the rules as proposed in the CR-105 at WSR 03-15-142.

     12 CHANGES FROM PROPOSAL: The commission adopted the proposal with minor housekeeping changes from the text noticed at WSR 03-15-142.

     13 STATEMENT OF ACTION; STATEMENT OF EFFECTIVE DATE: In reviewing the entire record, the commission determines that WAC 480-80-121, 480-80-122, 480-80-205, 480-90-153, 480-100-153, 480-107-001, 480-107-005, 480-110-435, 480-120-083, 480-120-147, 480-120-264, 480-120-439, and 480-121-063 should be amended to read as set forth in Appendix A, as rules of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, to take effect pursuant to RCW 34.05.380(2) on the thirty-first day after filing with the code reviser.

     14 The commission also determines that WAC 480-80-126 should be adopted to read as set forth in Appendix A, as a rule of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, to take effect pursuant to RCW 34.05.380(2) on the thirty-first day after filing with the code reviser.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 1, Amended 3, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 10, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     16 WAC 480-80-121, 480-80-122, 480-80-205, 480-90-153, 480-100-153, 480-107-001, 480-107-005, 480-110-435, 480-120-083, 480-120-147, 480-120-264, 480-120-439, and 480-121-063 are amended to read as set forth in Appendix A, as rules of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, to take effect pursuant to RCW 34.05.380(2) on the thirty-first day after filing with the code reviser.

     17 WAC 480-80-126 is adopted to read as set forth in Appendix A, as a rule of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, to take effect on the thirty-first day after the date of filing with the code reviser pursuant to RCW 34.05.380(2).

     18 This order and the rules set out in Appendix A, after being recorded in the register of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, shall be forwarded to the code reviser for filing pursuant to chapters 80.01 and 34.05 RCW and chapter 1-21 WAC.

     DATED at Olympia, Washington, this 29th day of October, 2003.

Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission

Marilyn Showalter, Chairwoman

Richard Hemstad, Commissioner

Patrick J. Oshie, Commissioner

OTS-6500.4

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Docket No. U-991301, General Order No. R-498, filed 5/14/02, effective 6/17/02)

WAC 480-80-121   Tariff changes with statutory notice.   (1) The statutory notice periods for tariff changes are:

     (a) The commission must receive tariff changes not less than thirty days in advance of the requested effective date as required by RCW 80.28.060 and ((80.36.110. Telecommunications companies not classified as competitive that meet the requirements of RCW 80.36.110(2) may file with ten days' notice to the commission)) 80.36.110 (1)(a);

     (b) The commission must receive telecommunications tariff changes that reduce rates with no offsetting rate increases not less than ten days in advance of the requested effective date, as required by RCW 80.36.110 (2)(a). If a company makes a filing pursuant to this subsection, it may not file for an increase to any rate, charge, rental, or toll to recover the revenue deficit that results from the decrease for a period of one year.

     (2) The statutory notice period begins on the date the commission receives the tariff filing, in accordance with WAC 480-80-031.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.180. 02-11-081 (Docket No. U-991301, General Order No. R-498), § 480-80-121, filed 5/14/02, effective 6/17/02.]

     (a) Utility information:

     (i) Name and address of utility;

     (ii) Telephone number, e-mail address, and fax number; and

     (iii) Name of contact person for the filing.

     (b) Tariff identification information:

     (i) Number of the tariff being amended;

     (ii) Title of the tariff item(s) being amended, if applicable; and

     (iii) Number of the tariff sheet being amended.

     (c) Concise description of the changes being proposed;

     (d) Reason(s) for requesting LSN handling;

     (e) Effective date requested; and

     (f) If the utility does not include an authorizing signature on the tariff sheets, a statement certifying that the submitting person has authority to issue tariff changes on behalf of the utility.

     (2) A utility requesting LSN must file tariff sheets with an effective date that reflects the required statutory notice period.

     (3) If the LSN request is granted, the commission will issue an order directing that the tariff sheets be revised to reflect the authorized LSN effective date.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.180. 02-11-081 (Docket No. U-991301, General Order No. R-498), § 480-80-122, filed 5/14/02, effective 6/17/02.]

     (2) For purposes of this section, a promotional offering is a telecommunications tariff that, for a period of up to ninety days, waives or reduces charges or conditions of service for existing or new subscribers for the purpose of retaining or increasing the number of customers who subscribe to or use a service.

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     (a) The effective date stated in the price list;

     (b) Ten days after it is filed with the commission, as required by RCW ((80.36.320(2) and 80.36.330(2))) 80.36.110 (1)(b); or

     (c) Ten days after any existing customers are provided actual notice of the change in accordance with WAC 480-120-196.

     (2)(a) Any price list filing that introduces a service not previously in the company's price list, or that makes changes not affecting the rates or charges paid by customers, or that makes a promotional offering, becomes effective on the later of the effective date stated in the price list or the date it is filed with the commission.

     (b) For purposes of this section, a promotional offering is a telecommunications price list that, for a period of up to ninety days, waives or reduces charges or conditions of service for existing or new subscribers for the purpose of retaining or increasing the number of customers who subscribe to or use a service.

     (3) This section does not apply to the filing of initial price lists as a part of an application for registration and competitive classification under chapter 480-121 WAC.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.180. 02-11-081 (Docket No. U-991301, General Order No. R-498), § 480-80-205, filed 5/14/02, effective 6/17/02.]

OTS-6501.2

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Docket No. UG-990294, General Order No. R-488, filed 9/28/01, effective 10/29/01)

WAC 480-90-153   Disclosure of private information.   (1) A gas utility may not disclose or sell private consumer information with or to its affiliates, subsidiaries, or any other third party for the purposes of marketing services or product offerings to a customer who does not already subscribe to that service or product, unless the utility has first obtained the customer's written permission to do so.

     (2) Private consumer information includes the customer's name, address, telephone number, and any other personally identifying information, as well as information related to the quantity, technical configuration, type, destination, and amount of use of service or products subscribed to by a customer of a regulated utility that is available to the utility solely by virtue of the customer-utility relationship.

     (3) This section does not prevent disclosure of the essential terms and conditions of special contracts as provided for in WAC ((480-80-335,)) 480-80-143 (Special contracts for gas, electric, and water((, and natural gas utilities)) companies).

     (4) This section does not prevent the utility from inserting any marketing information into the customer's billing package.

     (5) The utility may collect and release customer information in aggregate form if the aggregated information does not allow any specific customer to be identified.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. 01-20-059 (Docket No. UG-990294, General Order No. R-488), § 480-90-153, filed 9/28/01, effective 10/29/01.]

OTS-6502.2

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Docket No. UE-990473, General Order No. R-489, filed 9/28/01, effective 10/29/01)

WAC 480-100-153   Disclosure of private information.   (1) An electric utility may not disclose or sell private consumer information with or to its affiliates, subsidiaries, or any other third party for the purposes of marketing services or product offerings to a customer who does not already subscribe to that service or product, unless the utility has first obtained the customer's written permission to do so.

     (2) Private consumer information includes the customer's name, address, telephone number, and any other personally identifying information, as well as information related to the quantity, technical configuration, type, destination, and amount of use of service or products subscribed to by a customer of a regulated utility that is available to the utility solely by virtue of the customer-utility relationship.

     (3) This section does not prevent disclosure of the essential terms and conditions of special contracts as provided for in WAC ((480-80-335,)) 480-80-143 (Special contracts for gas, electric, and water((, and natural gas utilities)) companies).

     (4) This section does not prevent the utility from inserting any marketing information into the customer's billing package.

     (5) The utility may collect and release customer information in aggregate form if the aggregated information does not allow any specific customer to be identified.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. 01-20-060 (Docket No. UE-990473, General Order No. R-489), § 480-100-153, filed 9/28/01, effective 10/29/01.]

OTS-6503.2

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order R-304, Docket No. U-89-2814-R, filed 7/18/89)

WAC 480-107-001   Purpose and scope.   (1) The purpose of this chapter is to establish rules for determining rates, terms, and conditions governing the following purchases by electric utilities: Electricity from qualifying facilities; the electrical savings associated with eligible conservation measures pursuant to these rules; electricity from independent power producers; and, at the utility's election, utility subsidiaries, and other electric utilities. These rules are intended to provide an opportunity for conservation and generating resources to compete on a fair and reasonable basis to fulfill a utility's new resource needs. It is the commission's intent that bids under these rules shall include the costs of compliance by the project with environmental laws, rules, and regulations in effect at the time of the bid and those reasonably anticipated to be in effect during the term of the project.

     These rules are consistent with the provisions of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA), Title II, sections 201 and 210, and regulations promulgated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in 18 C.F.R. Part 292. Purchase of electric power under these rules shall satisfy an electric utility's obligation to purchase power from qualifying facilities under section 210 of PURPA.

     These rules do not preclude electric utilities from constructing electric resources, operating conservation programs, purchasing power through negotiated purchase contracts, or otherwise taking action to satisfy their public service obligations. Information about the price and availability of electric power obtained through the bidding procedures described in these rules may be used, in conjunction with other evidence, in general rate cases and other cost recovery proceedings pertaining to resources not acquired through these bidding procedures.

     (2) The provisions of this chapter shall apply to any electric utility which has submitted to the commission a least-cost plan as provided in WAC ((480-100-251)) 480-100-238 (Least cost planning).

[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. 89-15-043 (Order R-304, Docket No. U-89-2814-R), § 480-107-001, filed 7/18/89.]

     (((2))) "Back-up power" means electric energy or capacity supplied by an electric utility to replace energy ordinarily generated by a generating facility's own generation equipment during an unscheduled outage of the facility.

     (((3))) "Commission" means the Washington utilities and transportation commission.

     (((4))) "Conservation measures" means electric energy efficiency improvements to buildings or energy using equipment and processes.

     (((5))) "Economic dispatch" means, within contractually specified limits, modifying the timing of power purchases from a generating facility so as to minimize the costs of delivering electricity.

     (((6))) "Electric utility" means any public service company as defined by RCW 80.04.010 engaged in the generation, distribution, sale, or furnishing of electricity and which is subject to the jurisdiction of the commission.

     (((7))) "Eligible conservation suppliers" means electric utility customers, or third party conservation contractors installing energy efficiency measures as described in these rules.

     (((8))) "Generating facilities" means plant and other equipment employed for the purposes of generating electricity purchased through contracts entered into under these rules.

     (((9))) "Independent power producers" means generating facilities or portions thereof that are not recognized in the retail rates of any electric utility and that are not qualifying facilities as defined ((in subsection (16) of this section)) below.

     (((10))) "Interruptible power" means electric energy or capacity supplied by an electric utility to a generating facility subject to interruption by the electric utility under certain specified conditions.

     (((11))) "Least cost plan" means the filing made every two years by an electric utility in accordance with WAC ((480-100-251)) 480-100-238 (Least cost planning).

     (((12))) "Maintenance power" means electric energy or capacity supplied by an electric utility during scheduled outages of a generating facility.

     (((13))) "Project developer" means an individual, association, corporation, or other legal entity potentially entering into a power or conservation savings contract with the utility.

     (((14))) "Project proposal" means a project developer's document containing a description of the project and other information responsive to the requirements set forth in the RFP.

     (((15))) "Prototype contract" means standardized terms and conditions that govern specific electric power or electrical savings purchases by electric utilities. Prototype contracts may be structured to accommodate terms and conditions specific to individual projects, subject to the conditions set forth in these rules.

     (((16))) "Qualifying facilities" are generating facilities that meet the criteria specified by the FERC in 18 C.F.R. Part 292 Subpart B.

     (((17))) "Request for proposals" (RFP) means the document describing an electric utility's solicitation of bids for the delivery of power or electrical savings.

     (((18))) "Supplementary power" means electric energy or capacity supplied by an electric utility, regularly used by a generating facility in addition to that which the facility generates itself.

     (((19))) "Utility subsidiary" means a legal entity, other than a qualifying facility, which is owned, in whole or in part, by an electric utility, and which may enter a power or conservation savings contract with that electric utility.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. 89-15-043 (Order R-304, Docket No. U-89-2814-R), § 480-107-005, filed 7/18/89.]

OTS-6504.2

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending Order R-467, Docket No. UW-980082, filed 11/30/99, effective 12/31/99)

WAC 480-110-435   Extension contracts.   (1) Each water company must file, as a part of its tariff, an extension rule that states the conditions required by the company before it will extend its transmission and distribution infrastructure to provide water service to an applicant.

     (2) Companies entering into any extension contract must:

     (a) File the contract with the commission not less than thirty days before the proposed effective date of the contract.

     (b) Conform the proposed contract to the applicable provisions of WAC ((480-80-335)) 480-80-143 (Special contracts for gas, electric, and water companies).

     (3) Extension contracts must include the documentation necessary to show that the proposed charges are fair, just, reasonable, and sufficient.

     (4) An extension may also be referred to as a distribution extension, a main extension, or a line extension.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040. 99-24-100 (Order R-467, Docket No. UW-980082), § 480-110-435, filed 11/30/99, effective 12/31/99.]

OTS-6505.2

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending General Order No. R-494, Docket No. UT-010558, filed 12/5/01, effective 1/5/02)

WAC 480-120-083   Cessation of telecommunications services.   (1) This rule applies to any telecommunications company that ceases the provision of any telecommunications service in all or any portion of the state (exiting telecommunications company). This rule does not apply to:

     (a) Services offered by tariff that are subject to the statutory notice requirements of RCW 80.36.110 (Tariff Changes – Statutory Notice – Exception);

     (b) Discontinuance of service to an individual customer in compliance with WAC ((480-120-081 (Discontinuance of Service))) 480-120-172 (Discontinuing service -- Company initiated);

     (c) Cessation of a service when the provider replaces the terminated service with comparable service without interruption. For example, the notice requirements of this rule do not apply when a local exchange carrier (LEC) providing Centrex-type service with one group of features replaces that service, without interruption, with a version of Centrex-type service that has a different group of features; and

     (d) A service being discontinued that has no subscribers.

Changes in customers' service providers for local exchange and intrastate toll services when there is a cessation of service are also subject to WAC ((480-120-139)) 480-120-147 (Changes in local exchange and intrastate toll services).

     (2) No telecommunications company may cease the provision of any telecommunications service in all or any portion of the state unless it first provides written notice to the following persons at least 30 days in advance of cessation of service:

     (a) The commission;

     (b) The state 911 program, in the instance of local exchange service, private branch exchange service (PBX), Centrex-type service, or private line service used in the provision of emergency services related to the state 911 program;

     (c) Each of its customers, including customers that are telecommunications companies;

     (d) Incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) providing the exiting telecommunications company with unbundled network elements (UNEs) pursuant to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, 47 U.S.C. Section 151 et seq., if UNEs or combinations of UNEs are part of a telecommunications service provided to some or all of the exiting telecommunications company's customers;

     (e) Each telecommunications company providing the exiting telecommunications company with resold telecommunications service, if resold service is part of a telecommunications service provided to some or all of the exiting telecommunications company's customers;

     (f) The national number administrator authorizing the release of all assigned telephone numbers to other telecommunications companies and releasing all unassigned telephone numbers to the number administrator.

     (3) The notice to the commission and the state 911 program required in subsections (2)(a) and (b) must include:

     (a) The name of the exiting telecommunications company;

     (b) For each category of service, the date each telecommunications service will cease; and

     (c) The number of customers for each telecommunications service and their location, described by exchange or by city and county for each telecommunications service being ceased.

     (4) The notice to customers required in subsection (2)(c) must include:

     (a) The date telecommunications service will cease;

     (b) Information on how to contact the exiting telecommunications company by telephone in order to obtain information needed to establish service with another provider;

     (c) An explanation of how customers may receive a refund on any unused service. The exiting telecommunications company must provide information to consumers via its customer service number outlining the procedure for obtaining refunds and continue to provide this information for sixty days after the date of cessation of service.

     (d) A second notice provided by one of the two options listed below:

     (i) Between ten and thirty days before cessation of service, the exiting telecommunications company must complete one direct call advising every customer of the cessation of service, including the date of cessation of service and a number to call for more information, if necessary. A direct call means a call in which the company leaves a recorded voice message for or speaks directly to the responsible party or its agent on the billing account; or

     (ii) At least ten days before cessation of service, the exiting telecommunications company must provide a second written notice of cessation of service including the date of cessation of service and a number to call for more information, if necessary; ((and))

     (e) A company may seek the commission's assistance in drafting the customer notices.

     (5) The notice to ILECs required in subsection (2)(d) must include:

     (a) The date telecommunications service will cease;

     (b) Identification of the UNE components in relationship to the service information provided to the customer when such information differs from the ILEC's identification information as billed to the exiting telecommunications company. For example, if the ILEC identifies a UNE loop with a circuit identification number, the exiting telecommunications company must provide the ILEC with the customer telephone number assigned to the ILEC's UNE loop circuit identification number; and

     (c) The telephone contact information to enable the ILEC or new provider to obtain UNE service and circuit identification information needed to establish service for a customer who will no longer receive service from the exiting telecommunications company.

     (6) The notice to suppliers required in subsection (2)(e) must include:

     (a) The date telecommunications service will cease;

     (b) Identification of the resold service element components in relationship to the service information provided to the customer, when such information differs from the supplier's identification information as billed to the exiting telecommunications company; and

     (c) Telephone contact information to enable the regulated supplier or new provider to obtain underlying service and circuit identification information needed to establish comparable replacement service for a customer who will no longer receive service from the exiting telecommunications company.

     (7) The notice to the national number administrator required in subsection (2)(f) must include:

     (a) Identification of all working telephone numbers assigned to customers;

     (b) Identification of all unassigned or administrative numbers available for reassignment to other providers and the date such unassigned telephone numbers will be available for reassignment; and

     (c) Authorization of the release of each individual assigned customer's telephone number(s) to subsequent providers selected by the customer.

     (8) ILECs and telecommunications companies that are suppliers under subsection (6) must provide the information in the required notice(s) (if received) to the subsequent provider upon a request authorized by the customer.

     (9) A telecommunications company ceasing a local exchange service, a PBX service, a Centrex-type service, or a private line service used in the provision of emergency services related to the state 911 program must inform the commission and the state 911 program within twenty-four hours of the cessation of telecommunications service of the number of customers and their location, listed by exchange or by city and county, that remained as customers for the telecommunications service when service ceased.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.04.160 and 80.01.040. 01-24-114 (General Order No. R-494, Docket No. UT-010558), § 480-120-083, filed 12/5/01, effective 1/5/02.]

     (a) The company has obtained the customer's written or electronic authorization to submit the order (letter of agency). The letter of agency must be a separate electronic form, located on a separate screen or web page, or a separate written document (or easily separable document) containing only the authorizing language described in (a)(i) through (vi) of this subsection, having the sole purpose of authorizing a telecommunications carrier to initiate a preferred carrier change. The letter of agency, whether written or electronic, must be signed and dated by the customer of the telephone line(s) requesting the preferred carrier change. The letter of agency shall not be combined on the same document or on the same screen or web page with inducements of any kind; however, it may be combined with checks that contain only the required letter of agency language as prescribed in (a)(i) through (vi) of this subsection, and the necessary information to make the check a negotiable instrument. The check may not contain any promotional language or material. It must contain, in easily readable, boldface type on the front of the check, a notice that the customer is authorizing a preferred carrier change by signing the check. Letter-of-agency language must be placed near the signature line on the back of the check. Any carrier designated in a letter of agency as a preferred carrier must be the carrier directly setting the rates for the customer. If any portion of a letter of agency is translated into another language, then all portions must be translated into that language, as well as any promotional materials, oral descriptions or instructions provided with the letter of agency. The letter of agency must confirm the following information from the customer:

     (i) The customer billing name, billing telephone number and billing address and each telephone number to be covered by the change order;

     (ii) The decision to change;

     (iii) The customer's understanding of the change fee;

     (iv) That the customer designates (name of carrier) to act as the customer's agent for the preferred carrier change;

     (v) That the customer understands that only one telecommunications carrier may be designated as the customer's ((interstate)) intraLATA preferred carrier; that only one telecommunications carrier may be designated as the customer's interLATA preferred carrier; and that only one telecommunications carrier may be designated as the customer's local exchange provider, for any one telephone number. The letter of agency must contain a separate statement regarding the customer's choice for each preferred carrier, although a separate letter of agency for each choice is not necessary; and

     (vi) Letters of agency may not suggest or require that a customer take some action in order to retain the current preferred carrier.

     (b) The submitting carrier has obtained the customer's authorization, as described in (a) of this subsection, electronically, by use of an automated, electronic telephone menu system. This authorization must be placed from the telephone number(s) for which the preferred carrier is to be changed and must confirm the information required in (a)(i) through (vi) of this subsection.

     Telecommunications companies electing to confirm the preferred carrier change electronically must establish one or more toll free telephone numbers exclusively for that purpose.

     Calls to the number(s) must connect a customer to a voice response unit, or similar device, that records the required information regarding the change, including recording the originating automatic number identification (ANI).

     (c) An appropriately qualified and independent third party operating in a location physically separate from the telemarketing representative has obtained the customer's oral authorization to submit the change order that confirms and includes appropriate verification data (e.g., the customer's date of birth). The independent third party must not be owned, managed, controlled or directed by the carrier or the carrier's marketing agent; and must not have any financial incentive to confirm preferred carrier change orders for the carrier or the carrier's marketing agent. The content of the verification must include clear and unambiguous confirmation that the customer has authorized a preferred carrier change.

     (2) Where a telecommunications carrier is selling more than one type of telecommunications service (e.g., local exchange, intraLATA toll, and interLATA toll) that carrier must obtain separate authorization, and separate verification, from the customer for each service sold, although the authorizations may be made within the same solicitation.

     (3) The documentation regarding a customer's authorization for a preferred carrier change must be retained by the submitting carrier, at a minimum, for two years to serve as verification of the customer's authorization to change his or her telecommunications company. The documentation must be made available to the customer and to the commission upon request and at no charge. Documentation includes, but is not limited to, entire third-party-verification conversations and, for written verifications, the entire verification document.

     (4) Implementing order changes. An executing carrier may not verify directly with the customer the submission of a change in a customer's selection of a provider received from a submitting carrier. The executing carrier must comply promptly, without any unreasonable delay, with a requested change that is complete and received from a submitting carrier. An executing carrier is any telecommunications carrier that affects a request that a customer's carrier be changed.

     This section does not prohibit any company from investigating and responding to any customer-initiated inquiry or complaint.

     (5) Preferred carrier freezes. A preferred carrier freeze prevents a change in a customer's preferred carrier selection unless the customer gives the carrier from whom the freeze was requested express consent. Express consent means direct, written, electronic, or oral direction by the customer. All local exchange companies (LECs) must offer preferred carrier freezes. Such freezes must be offered on a nondiscriminatory basis to all customers. Offers or solicitations for such freezes must clearly distinguish among telecommunications services subject to a freeze (e.g., local exchange, intraLATA toll, and interLATA toll). The carrier offering the freeze must obtain separate authorization for each service for which a preferred carrier freeze is requested. Separate authorizations may be contained within a single document.

     (a) All LECs must notify all customers of the availability of a preferred carrier freeze, no later than the customer's first telephone bill, and once per year must notify all local exchange service customers of such availability on an individual customer basis (e.g., bill insert, bill message, or direct mailing).

     (b) All carrier-provided solicitation and other materials regarding freezes must include an explanation, in clear and neutral language, of what a preferred carrier freeze is, and what services may be subject to a freeze; a description of the specific procedures to lift a preferred carrier freeze; an explanation that the customer will be unable to make a change in carrier selection unless he or she lifts the freeze; and an explanation of any charges incurred for implementing or lifting a preferred carrier freeze.

     (c) No local exchange carrier may implement a preferred carrier freeze unless the customer's request to impose a freeze has first been confirmed in accordance with the procedures outlined for confirming a change in preferred carrier, as described in subsections (1) and (2) of this section.

     (d) All LECs must offer customers, at a minimum, the following procedures for lifting a preferred carrier freeze:

     (i) A customer's written or electronic authorization stating the customer's intent to lift the freeze;

     (ii) A customer's oral authorization to lift the freeze. This option must include a mechanism that allows a submitting carrier to conduct a three-way conference call with the executing carrier and the customer in order to lift the freeze. When engaged in oral authorization to lift a freeze, the executing carrier must confirm appropriate verification data (e.g., the customer's date of birth), and the customer's intent to lift the freeze.

     (e) A LEC may not change a customer's preferred carrier if the customer has a freeze in place, unless the customer has lifted the freeze in accordance with this subsection.

     (6) Remedies. In addition to any other penalties provided by law, a submitting carrier that requests a change in a customer's carrier without proper verification as described in this rule shall receive no payment for service provided as a result of the unauthorized change and shall promptly refund any amounts collected as a result of the unauthorized change. The customer may be charged, after receipt of the refund, for such service at a rate no greater than what would have been charged by its authorized telecommunications company, and any such payment shall be remitted to the customer's authorized telecommunications company.

     (7) Exceptions. Companies transferring customers as a result of a merger, purchase of the company, or purchase of a specific customer base are exempt from subsections (1) through (6) of this section if the companies comply with the following conditions and procedures:

     (a) The acquiring company must provide a notice to each affected customer at least thirty days before the date of transfer. Such notice must include the following information:

     (i) The date on which the acquiring company will become the customer's new provider;

     (ii) The rates, terms, and conditions of the service(s) to be provided upon transfer, and the means by which the acquiring company will notify the customer of any change(s) to those rates, terms, and conditions;

     (iii) That the acquiring company will be responsible for any carrier change charges associated with the transfer;

     (iv) The customer's right to select a different company to provide the service(s);

     (v) That the customer will be transferred even if the customer has selected a "freeze" on his/her carrier choices, unless the customer chooses another carrier before the transfer date;

     (vi) That, if the customer has a "freeze" on carrier choices, the freeze will be lifted at the time of transfer and the customer must "refreeze" carrier choices;

     (vii) How the customer may make a complaint prior to or during the transfer; and

     (viii) The toll-free customer service telephone number of the acquiring carrier.

     (b) The acquiring company must provide a notice to the commission at least thirty days before the date of the transfer. Such notice must include the following information:

     (i) The names of the parties to the transaction;

     (ii) The types of services affected;

     (iii) The date of the transfer; and

     (iv) That the company has provided advance notice to affected customers, including a copy of such notice.

     (c) If after filing notice with the commission any material changes develop, the acquiring company must file written notice of those changes with the commission no more than ten days after the transfer date announced in the prior notice. The commission may, at that time, require the company to provide additional notice to affected customers regarding such changes.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. 03-01-065 (Docket No. UT-990146, General Order No. R-507), § 480-120-147, filed 12/12/02, effective 7/1/03.]

     (a) PPCS may require the use of an access number or authorization code.

     (b) This section excludes credit cards and cash equivalent cards. Services provided at pay telephones using these cards are regulated under the provisions of WAC ((480-120-138)) 480-120-263 (Pay phone service providers (PSPs)).

     (2) PPCS providers must provide customers a without-charge telephone number staffed by personnel capable of:

     (a) Responding to technical problems or questions related to their service twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week;

     (b) Responding to general account-related questions during regular business hours; and

     (c) Providing the commission's toll-free number and address to dissatisfied customers as required by WAC ((480-120-101)) 480-120-165 (Customer complaints).

     (3) Billing requirements for PPCS.

     (a) A PPCS provider may charge only for the actual time a circuit is open for conversation. The price list or tariff and presale document must define billing increments. The provider must not round up the length of conversation time for less than a full billing increment beyond that full increment.

     (i) If a PPCS provider uses an increment based on a time measurement, the increment must not exceed one minute.

     (ii) If a PPCS provider bills usage in "unit" measurements, it must clearly define units using both equivalent dollar amounts and time measurement. Unit billing increments cannot exceed the equivalent one minute rate.

     (b) At the customer's request, a PPCS provider may add additional time to an existing account in exchange for an additional payment at a rate not to exceed those on file with the commission. The PPCS provider must inform the customer of the new rates at the time of the recharge request.

     (4) PPCS providers must maintain the following call-data for a minimum of twenty-four months:

     (a) Dialing and signaling information that identifies the inbound access number called or the access identifier;

     (b) The number of the originating phone when the information is passed to the PPCS provider;

     (c) The date and time the call was originated;

     (d) The duration or termination time of the call;

     (e) The called number; and

     (f) The personal identification number (PIN), or account number.

     (5) Disclosure requirements - Prepaid calling services.

     (a) A PPCS provider must disclose, prior to the sale, the following information:

     (i) The PPCS provider's name as registered with the commission;

     (ii) The "doing business as" name as registered with the commission, if applicable;

     (iii) The maximum charge per billing increment. A PPCS provider charging varying rates for intrastate and interstate calls must provide all applicable rates. The rates disclosed must be no more than those in its price list or tariff on file with the commission at the time of purchase;

     (iv) Charges for all services, including any applicable surcharges, fees, or taxes, and the method of application;

     (v) Expiration date, if applicable. If a card expires after a set period of time from activation, the PPCS provider must specify the expiration date on the card. If an expiration date is not disclosed on the card it will be considered unexpired indefinitely; and

     (vi) Recharge policy, if applicable. If a PPCS provider does not disclose the expiration date at the time service is recharged, the service will be considered unexpired indefinitely.

     (b) A PPCS provider must disclose, at the time of purchase, the following information:

     (i) The without-charge telephone number(s) a customer may use to resolve technical problems, service-related questions, and general account-related questions; and

     (ii) Authorization code, if required, to access the service or, if applicable, the without-charge telephone number used to establish access capability.

     (c) If the PPCS provider is not the entity that packages the services for sale to the public, it must require the company that does so, through a written agreement, to comply with the disclosure requirements of this section.

     (6) Time of use disclosure requirements. The PPCS provider must:

     (a) Announce at the beginning of each call the time remaining on the prepaid account or prepaid calling card; and

     (b) Announce the time remaining at least one minute before the prepaid account balance is depleted.

     (7) When a PPCS provider has failed to provide service at rates disclosed prior to the sale or quoted at the time an account is recharged, or the PPCS provider has failed to meet performance standards, it must provide refunds for any unused service or provide equivalent service credit when requested by a customer. Refunds or credits must equal the value remaining on the prepaid calling account. The customer may choose either the refund or equivalent service credit option.

     (8) Performance standards for prepaid calling services. Each PPCS provider must ensure that:

     (a) Customers can complete a minimum of ninety-eight percent of all call attempts to the called party's number. The PPCS provider will consider any busy signals or unanswered calls as completed calls.

     (b) Customers can complete a minimum of ninety-eight percent of all call attempts to the PPCS provider. The PPCS provider will not consider any busy signals or unanswered calls as completed calls.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. 02-11-080 (General Order No. R-499, Docket No. UT-991922), § 480-120-264, filed 5/14/02, effective 6/17/02.]

     (2) Class B companies. Class B companies need not report to the commission as required by subsection (1) of this section. However, these companies must retain, for at least three years from the date they are created, all records that would be relevant, in the event of a complaint or investigation, to a determination of the company's compliance with the service quality standards established by WAC 480-120-105 (Company performance standards for installation or activation of access lines), ((480-120-107,)) 480-120-112 (Company performance for orders for nonbasic services), 480-120-133 (Response time for calls to business office or repair center during regular business hours), ((480-120-132,)) 480-120-401 (Network performance standards), 480-120-411 (Network maintenance), and 480-120-440 (Repair standards for service interruptions and impairments, excluding major outages).

     (3) Missed appointment report. The missed appointment report must state the number of appointments missed, the total number of appointments made, and the number of appointments excluded under (b), (c), or (d) of this subsection. The report must state installation and repair appointments separately.

     (a) A LEC is deemed to have kept an appointment when the necessary work in advance of dispatch has been completed and the technician arrives within the appointment period, even if the technician then determines the order cannot be completed until a later date. If the inability to install or repair during a kept appointment leads to establishment of another appointment, it is a new appointment for purposes of determining under this subsection whether it is kept or not.

     (b) When a LEC notifies the customer at least twenty-four hours prior to the scheduled appointment that a new appointment is necessary and a new appointment is made, then the appointment that was canceled is not a missed appointment for purposes of this subsection. A company-initiated changed appointment date is not a change to the order date for purposes of determining compliance with WAC 480-120-105 (Company performance standards for installation or activation of access lines) and 480-120-112 (Company performance for orders for nonbasic services).

     (c) A LEC does not miss an appointment for purposes of this subsection when the customer initiates a request for a new appointment.

     (d) A LEC does not miss an appointment for purposes of this subsection when it is unable to meet its obligations due to force majeure, work stoppages directly affecting provision of service in the state of Washington, or other events beyond the LEC's control.

     (4) Installation or activation of basic service report. The report must state the total number of orders taken, by central office, in each month for all orders of up to the initial five access lines as required by WAC 480-120-105 (Company performance standards for installation or activation of access lines). The report must include orders with due dates later than five days as requested by a customer. The installation or activation of basic service report must state, by central office, of the total orders taken for the month, the number of orders that the company was unable to complete within five business days after the order date or by a later date as requested by the customer.

     (a) A separate report must be filed each calendar quarter that states the total number of orders taken, by central office, in that quarter for all orders of up to the initial five access lines as required by WAC 480-120-105 (Company performance standards for installation or activation of access lines). The installation or activation of basic service ninety-day report must state, of the total orders taken for the quarter, the number of orders that the company was unable to complete within ninety days after the order date.

     (b) A separate report must be filed each six months that states the total number of orders taken, by central office, in the last six months for all orders of up to the initial five access lines as required by WAC 480-120-105 (Company performance standards for installation or activation of access lines). The installation or activation of basic service one hundred eighty day report must state, of the total orders taken for six months, the number of orders that the company was unable to complete within one hundred eighty days.

     Orders for which customer-provided special equipment is necessary; when a later installation or activation is permitted under WAC 480-120-071 (Extension of service); when a technician arrives at the customer's premises at the appointed time ((and)) prepared to install service and the customer is not available to provide access; or when the commission has granted an exemption under WAC 480-120-015 (Exemptions from rules in chapter 480-120 WAC), from the requirement for installation or activation of a particular order, may be excluded from the total number of orders taken and from the total number of uncompleted orders for the month.

     For calculation of the report of orders installed or activated within five business days in a month, orders that could not be installed or activated within five days in that month due to force majeure may be excluded from the total number of orders taken and from the total number of uncompleted orders for the month if the company supplies documentation of the effect of force majeure upon the order.

     (5) Major outages report. Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2) of this section, any company experiencing a major outage that lasts more than forty-eight hours must provide a major outage report to the commission within ten business days of the major outage. The major outages report must include a description of each major outage and a statement that includes the time, the cause, the location and number of affected access lines, and the duration of the interruption or impairment. When applicable, the report must include a description of preventive actions to be taken to avoid future outages. This reporting requirement does not include company-initiated major outages that are in accordance with the contract provisions between the company and its customers or other planned interruptions that are part of the normal operational and maintenance requirements of the company.

     The commission staff may request oral reports from companies concerning major outages at any time and companies must provide the requested information.

     (6) Summary trouble reports. Each month companies must submit a report reflecting the standard established in WAC 480-120-438 (Trouble report standard). The report must include the number of reports by central office and the number of lines served by the central office. In addition, the report must include an explanation of causes for each central office that exceeds the service quality standard established in WAC 480-120-438 (Trouble report standard). The reports, including repeated reports, must be presented as a ratio per one hundred lines in service. The reports caused by customer-provided equipment, inside wiring, force majeure, or outages of service caused by persons or entities other than the local exchange company should not be included in this report.

     (7) Switching report. Any company experiencing switching problems in excess of the standard established in WAC 480-120-401 (2)(a) (Switches -- Dial service), must report the problems to the commission. The report must identify the location of every switch that is performing below the standard.

     (8) Interoffice, intercompany and interexchange trunk blocking report. Companies that experience trunk blocking in excess of the standard in WAC 480-120-401 (3) (Interoffice facilities) and (5) (Service to interexchange carriers) must report each trunk group that does not meet the performance standards. For each trunk group not meeting the performance standards, the report must include the peak percent blocking level experienced during the preceding month, the number of trunks in the trunk group, the busy hour when peak blockage occurs, and whether the problem concerns a standard in WAC 480-120-401 (3) or (5). The report must include an explanation of steps being taken to relieve blockage on any trunk groups that do not meet the standard for two consecutive months.

     (9) Repair report.

     (a) For service-interruption repairs subject to the requirements of WAC 480-120-440 (Repair standards for service interruptions and impairments, excluding major outages), companies must report the number of service interruptions reported each month, the number repaired within forty-eight hours, and the number repaired more than forty-eight hours after the initial report. In addition, a company must report the number of interruptions that are exempt from the repair interval standards as provided for in WAC 480-120-440.

     (b) For service-impairment repairs subject to the requirements of WAC 480-120-440, companies must report the number of service impairments reported each month, the number repaired within seventy-two hours, and the number repaired more than seventy-two hours after the initial report. In addition, a company must report the number of impairments that are exempt from the repair interval standard as provided for in WAC 480-120-440.

     (10) Business office and repair answering system reports. When requested, companies must report compliance with the standard required in WAC 480-120-133 (Response time for calls to business office or repair center during regular business hours). If requested, companies must provide the same reports to the commission that company managers receive concerning average speed of answer, transfers to live representatives, station busies, and unanswered calls.

     (11) The commission may choose to investigate matters to protect the public interest, and may request further information from companies that details geographic area and type of service, and such other information as the commission requests.

     (12) If consistent with the purposes of this section, the commission may, by order, approve for a company an alternative measurement or reporting format for any of the reports required by this section, based on evidence that:

     (a) The company cannot reasonably provide the measurement or reports as required;

     (b) The alternative measurement or reporting format will provide a reasonably accurate measurement of the company's performance relative to the substantive performance standard; and

     (c) The ability of the commission and other parties to enforce compliance with substantive performance standard will not be significantly impaired by the use of the alternative measurement or reporting format.

     (13) Subsection (12) of this section does not preclude application for an ((exception)) exemption under WAC 480-120-015.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. 03-01-065 (Docket No. UT-990146, General Order No. R-507), § 480-120-439, filed 12/12/02, effective 7/1/03.]

OTS-6506.3

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending General Order No. R-499, Docket No. UT-991922, filed 5/14/02, effective 6/17/02)

WAC 480-121-063   Regulatory requirements that may be waived for competitively classified telecommunications companies.   (1) The following regulatory requirements are waived for competitively classified companies:

     (a) RCW 80.04.300 (Budgets to be filed by companies -- Supplementary budgets);

     (b) RCW 80.04.310 (Commission's control over expenditures);

     (c) RCW 80.04.320 (Budget rules);

     (d) RCW 80.04.330 (Effect of unauthorized expenditure -- Emergencies);

     (e) RCW 80.04.360 (Earnings in excess of reasonable rate -- Consideration in fixing rates);

     (f) RCW 80.04.460 (Investigation of accidents);

     (g) RCW 80.04.520 (Approval of lease of utility facilities);

     (h) RCW 80.36.100 (Tariff schedules to be filed and open to public);

     (i) RCW 80.36.110 (Tariff changes -- Statutory notice -- Exception);

     (j) Chapter 80.08 RCW (Securities) (except RCW 80.08.140, State not obligated);

     (k) Chapter 80.12 RCW (Transfers of property);

     (l) Chapter 80.16 RCW (Affiliated interests);

     (m) WAC 480-80-101 Tariff requirements through WAC 480-80-143 Special contracts for gas, electric, and water companies;

     (n) Chapter 480-140 WAC (Commission general -- Budgets);

     (o) Chapter 480-143 WAC (Commission general -- Transfers of property);

     (p) Chapter 480-146 WAC (((securities and affiliated interests))) (Commission general -- Securities, liens, affiliated interests, refunding of notes, lease of utility facilities);

     (q) ((WAC 480-120-031 (Accounting);

     (r) WAC 480-120-032 (Expenditures for political or legislative activities);

     (s) WAC 480-120-043 (Notice to the public of tariff changes);

     (t) WAC 480-120-046 (Service offered);

     (u) WAC 480-120-131 (Reports of accidents);

     (v) WAC 480-120-541 (Access charges);

     (w) WAC 480-120-542 (Collective consideration of Washington intrastate rate, tariff, or service proposals); and

     (x) WAC 480-120-544 (Mandatory cost changes for telecommunications companies).)) WAC 480-120-102 (Service offered);

     (r) WAC 480-120-305 (Streamlined filing requirements for Class B telecommunications company rate increases);

     (s) WAC 480-120-311 (Access charge and universal service reporting);

     (t) WAC 480-120-321 (Expenditures for political or legislative activities); and

     (u) WAC 480-120-323 (Washington Exchange Carrier Association (WECA)).

     This rule supersedes all waivers of regulatory requirements for competitively classified companies granted by the commission at the time of a company's competitive classification. However, subsequent to the adoption of this rule, the commission may revoke the waiver of any regulatory requirement set forth in (a) through (((x))) (u) of this subsection or may waive any regulatory requirement not included in (a) through (((x))) (u) of this subsection.

     (2) The commission may by order revoke waivers of regulatory requirements if it determines that revocation is necessary to protect the public interest.

     (3) In addition, the commission may waive regulatory requirements for telecommunications companies that it has classified as competitive if it determines that competition with the regulatory waiver will serve the same purposes as public interest regulation.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and 80.04.160. 02-11-080 (General Order No. R-499, Docket No. UT-991922), § 480-121-063, filed 5/14/02, effective 6/17/02; 01-09-002 (Docket No. U-991301, General Order No. R-481), § 480-121-063, filed 4/4/01, effective 5/5/01.]

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