PROPOSED RULES
COMMISSION
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 98-06-050 [98-16-101].
Title of Rule: Registration, competitive classification, and price lists of telecommunications companies, Docket No. UT-980083.
Purpose: To implement the requirements of Executive Order 97-02, revising language to enhance understanding, adding processes for petitions for competitive classification, stating the commission's standards for evaluating applications for registration and competitive classification and price list filings, and adding standards for the denial of aplications or revocation of registration.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 80.01.040, 80.04.160.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: See Explanation of Rule below.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Sondra Walsh, Policy Research Specialist, 1300 South Evergreen Park, Drive S.W., Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 664-1286; Implementation and Enforcement: Carole Washburn, Secretary, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 664-1174.
Name of Proponent: Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, governmental.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: These rules address how the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission regulates the registration applications, competitive classification petitions, and price list filings of telecommunication companies. This rule making incorporates into rule the commission's streamlined process for registration applications; minimizes the burden of entry; cultivates competition; and establishes the criteria for cancellation of a telecommunications company's registration. This review complies with Executive Order 97-02. The order requires agencies to review their rules for clarity, intent and statutory authority, need, effectiveness and efficiency, coordination, cost, and fairness. This proposal would redraft the rules to promote clarity and reader understanding, and eliminate rules that are no longer needed. Proposed substantive changes to the text include the following: (1) Adds processes for petitions for competitive classification to chapter 480-121 WAC, to clarify the process; (2) lists in rule the commission's standards for registration applications, competitive classification petitions, and price list filings; and (3) add rules to identify what may cause an application to be rejected or a registration to be revoked. The proposed rules should clarify, simplify, and expedite the commission processes.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: The following summarizes changes other than rephrasing for clarity. WAC 480-121-010, adds applications for competitive classification and price lists to the topics covered in the chapter. Allows simultaneous filing of application, petition, and price list for optimum efficiency. States the commission's authority to waive or modify the application of any rule.
WAC 480-121-020, states the required contents of applications for registration, petitions for competitive classification, and proposed price lists.
WAC 480-121-030, states the commission's authority to require additional information relating to petitions for competitive classification and approval of price lists.
WAC 480-121-040, deletes standards for applications, which are moved to WAC 480-121-020. States specific reasons for which the commission may deny registration.
In addition, WAC 480-121-050 Form, is proposed for repeal and new sections WAC 480-121-060 through 480-121-100 are proposed for adoption.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. There is minimal fiscal impact to companies.
RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. The commission is not an agency to which RCW 34.05.328 applies. This is not the sort of rule making to which the statute applies.
Hearing Location: Commission Hearing Room, 2nd Floor, Chandler Plaza Building, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, WA 98504, on April 28, 1999, at 9:30 a.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Pat Valentine by April 26, 1999, TDD (360) 586-8203, or (360) 664-1133.
Submit Written Comments to: Re: Docket No. UT-980083, c/o Carole Washburn, Secretary, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, WA 98504, fax (360) 586-1150, by April 14, 1999.
Date of Intended Adoption: April 28, 1999.
March 23, 1999
Carole J. Washburn
Secretary
OTS-2924.1
REGISTRATION, COMPETITIVE CLASSIFICATION AND PRICE LISTS OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES
(1)
Applications ((shall)), petitions and price lists must be filed
at the office of the commission in Olympia, Washington, by mail
or in person, and ((shall)) must be signed by the applicant or
its attorney, dated, and ((verified)) certified as to its
accuracy. Applications, petitions and price lists will be
assigned a docket number, and all additional exhibits and data
thereafter filed, and correspondence in connection with the
((application)) filing, should bear that docket number.
Applications ((shall)) for registration, petitions for
competitive classification and price lists must be ((in the form
prescribed by WAC 480-121-050, and shall in all respects adhere
to the rules set out herein. Applications not in substantial
compliance with these rules may be rejected by the commission and
returned to the applicant)) submitted at the same time.
Applicant must file with the commission an original application,
petition and price list and any additional copies as the
commission may require.
(2) The commission may waive or modify the application of any rule to an applicant upon written request, or upon commission motion, except when such provisions are fixed by statute. The waiver or modification must be approved by the commission in writing.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040. 85-20-002 (Order R-237, Cause No. U-85-43), § 480-121-010, filed 9/19/85.]
((Applicant shall file with the commission an
original application and such additional copies as the commission
may require.)) (1) Applications for registration must:
(a) Be in the form prescribed by the commission;
(b) Adhere to the rules set forth in chapter 480-120 WAC;
(c) Be accompanied by the applicant’s current balance sheet, latest annual report, if any, and a description of the telecommunications service it intends to offer; and
(d) Be accompanied by declaration of positive regulatory performance on the form prescribed by the commission.
(2) A petition for competitive classification must meet the requirements of WAC 480-120-023.
(3) Price lists must meet the requirements of WAC 480-120-027.
(4) As a condition to registration, with or without hearing, the commission may require an applicant clearly show that the:
(a) Applicant possesses adequate financial resources to provide the proposed service;
(b) Applicant possesses adequate technical competence to provide the proposed service;
(c) Applicant is in compliance with all federal, state and local telecommunications and business regulations; and
(d) Applicant operating in other states as a telecommunications company have a positive regulatory record. Companies that have been registered within another state for less than one year have a positive record since approval. Companies that have been registered for a period greater than one year have a positive record for at least the prior twelve consecutive months.
(5) Applicants that intend to collect customer prepayments must meet the requirements of WAC 480-120-058.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040. 85-20-002 (Order R-237, Cause No. U-85-43), § 480-121-020, filed 9/19/85.]
The commission may
at its discretion require ((the production of data and))
additional information to supplement ((that contained in)) the
registration application, competitive classification petition and
price list. Unless a different time is specified, such
information shall be provided within ten days of the written
request.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040. 85-20-002 (Order R-237, Cause No. U-85-43), § 480-121-030, filed 9/19/85.]
((As a
condition to registration, with or without hearing, an applicant
must clearly show that:
(1) Applicant possesses adequate financial resources to provide the proposed service;
(2) Applicant possesses adequate technical competence to provide the proposed service; and
(3) Applicant has procured and will maintain:
(2) A performance bond satisfactory to the commission sufficient to cover any customer advances or deposits; or
(b) Provision has been made for deposit of customer advances or deposits in a federally insured interest bearing trust account maintained by applicant solely for customer advances or deposits, in a bank, savings and loan association, mutual savings bank, or licensed escrow agent located in Washington, with access to such funds only for the purpose of applying an amount to a delinquent bill in accordance with commission deposit rules, or for the purpose of refunding advances or deposits to customers. In any order granting certification, the commission may require either bond or trust account or escrow as a condition.
Such)) (1) Application may be granted without hearing upon a
determination by the commission that the application is
consistent with the public interest, and that applicant meets
((financial and technical requirements,)) the requirements of
this section and RCW 80.36.350 and has provided adequately for
the protection of customer ((advances or deposits,)) prepayments
or the application may be set for hearing in accordance with
notice issued by the commission. If, upon hearing, the
commission finds that registration is not consistent with the
public interest, or that the applicant ((is not financially or
[technically] [technical] able to provide the contemplated
service)) does not meet the requirements of RCW 80.36.350, or
that customer ((advances or deposits)) prepayments cannot be
adequately protected, it will deny the application.
The commission ((may)) will deny an application for
registration submitted by ((a company providing alternate)) an
operator services provider if, after hearing, the commission
finds that the alternate operator services offered by the company
or the charges for those services are not for the public
convenience and ((advantage)) necessity.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040 and chapter 80.36 RCW. 90-24-090 (Order R-332, Docket No. UT-900733), § 480-121-040, filed 12/5/90, effective 1/5/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 80.01.040. 85-20-002 (Order R-237, Cause No. U-85-43), § 480-121-040, filed 9/19/85.]
A registered telecommunication company that intends to offer additional services must:
(1) Supplement its original application, petition and price list requesting authority to provide the additional services.
(2) Update the original application, petition and price list to reflect the new services and any other changes that have occurred since the original filing.
[]
Registration applications, competitive classification petitions and price lists not insubstantial compliance with these rules and chapter 480-120 WAC may be rejected by the commission and returned to the applicant.
[]
(1) A request to cancel registration as a telecommunications company must be submitted in writing to the commission.
(2) Registered telecommunications companies collecting prepayments must comply with WAC 480-120-058(10).
[]
The commission may revoke a registration, after hearing for good cause. Good cause includes, but is not limited to, failure to:
(1) File an annual report or pay regulatory fees;
(2) Comply with the requirements of WAC 480-120-058;
(3) Provide adequate service;
(4) Maintain correct contact information, including current address and telephone number; or
(5) Comply with all federal, state and local telecommunications and business regulations.
[]
(1) In addition to meeting the requirements of WAC 480-120-023, a petition for competitive classification must state an effective date no sooner than thirty days from the filing date.
(2) The petitioner must provide notice in the same manner as provided in WAC 480-80-120.
[]
The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
| WAC 480-121-050 | Form. |