reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 202 - REQUIREMENTS FOR AUDIOTEXT (PAY-PER-CALL) SERVICE › Section 407-202-2 - DISCONNECTION PROHIBITED

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. A telephone
				utility shall not disconnect or threaten to disconnect a customer's basic
				telephone service because of the customer's failure to pay an audiotext service
				charge. A telephone utility must treat audiotext service charges as "non-basic
				utility service" as that term is defined in Chapter 810 of the Commission's
				rules.
B. A telephone utility may
				seek to disconnect or block a customer's ability to make calls to audiotext
				service providers if a customer has repeatedly failed to pay undisputed charges
				for audiotext services. The term "repeatedly" means that the customer has
				failed to pay for undisputed audiotext charges in excess of $50.00 after the
				issuance of at least two monthly bills. Prior to disconnection of a customer's
				ability to make calls to audiotext service providers, the telephone utility
				shall issue a disconnection notice that informs the customer that the notice
				does not threaten the customer's basic telephone service and contains a
				disclosure of: the overdue amount for audiotext services; the disconnection
				date; a statement of the customer's right to dispute the action by first
				attempting to resolve the dispute with the utility and then, if not satisfied,
				appeal the dispute to the Consumer Assistance Division; the title and telephone
				number of the utility representative to contact; and any reconnection charge.
				The disconnection notice shall, at a minimum, contain a due date at least three
				(3) business days after the postmark or mail date of the notice.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 202 - REQUIREMENTS FOR AUDIOTEXT (PAY-PER-CALL) SERVICE › Section 407-202-3 - BLOCKING SERVICES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. Comprehensive
				blocking. Comprehensive blocking is a customer-initiated block of all audiotext
				services. A telephone utility must offer all one-party residential and
				single-line business customers an initial opportunity to block and also to
				unblock access to all audiotext services at no extra charge. Thereafter, the
				maximum charge for either blocking or unblocking access to audiotext service
				providers shall not exceed $5.00.
B. Selective blocking. Selective blocking is
				a customer-initiated request to block one or more individual audiotext service
				numbers. A telephone utility may offer any class of customers the opportunity
				to block individual audiotext service numbers at a charge not to exceed $5.00
				per request.
C. Presumptive
				blocking. Presumptive blocking is a telephone utility-initiated block of one or
				more classes or types of audiotext services. A telephone utility may provide
				blocking of all customers to one or more classes or types of audiotext services
				on a presumptive basis, after a 30-day notice to all customers. When this
				service is provided, the telephone utility must offer customers the opportunity
				to unblock access to all or any class or type of audiotext services at no
				charge when technical facilities exist. Thereafter, the charge for blocking or
				unblocking shall not exceed $5.00. Presumptive blocking may be provided only
				upon a finding by the Commission that it is in the public interest.
D. A telephone utility must offer the
				blocking services described in subsections A, and may offer the services
				described in subsections B or C, above, in every central office that is capable
				of offering a blocking service.
E.
				A telephone utility that has not complied with or cannot comply with this
				section by the effective date of this rule may apply to the Commission for an
				extension for good cause. The request must be in writing and contain facts
				demonstrating that compliance with this section will work a hardship on the
				utility. The application must contain:
1. The
				reason why the deadline cannot be met;
2. When the utility proposes to comply;
				and
3. The cost of complying with
				the deadline and the savings incurred if the delay is granted.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 202 - REQUIREMENTS FOR AUDIOTEXT (PAY-PER-CALL) SERVICE › Section 407-202-4 - BILL FORMAT

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. A telephone
				utility must individually highlight or identify the charges for audiotext
				services that appear on a bill for basic telephone service. A telephone utility
				can comply with this requirement by one or more of the following methods:
1. Print the telephone number, length of call
				and charges for the audiotext service charge in a different color ink, or a
				distinctively different type font or type size;
2. Highlight the entire line item for the
				audiotext service charge by using a lighter or darker shade of color than the
				printed text;
3. Provide a symbol
				that is conspicuously displayed by different color ink, or the use of the
				largest type size or darkest ink color in use on the bill, at the beginning of
				the line item for each audiotext service charge or in a separate column or
				field adjacent to the charges for the audiotext call; or
4. Separately list and subtotal audiotext
				service charges that appear on the bill, either by individual telephone utility
				or interexchange carrier or for all audiotext service charges.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 202 - REQUIREMENTS FOR AUDIOTEXT (PAY-PER-CALL) SERVICE › Section 407-202-5 - CUSTOMER EDUCATION

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. A telephone
				utility must inform all customers at least four times each calendar year of
				their rights and responsibilities concerning the provision of audiotext
				services. This information may be provided with a monthly bill or in a separate
				mailing.
B. At a minimum, the
				customer education material must include the following information:
1. A definition of audiotext
				services;
2. How audiotext service
				charges are identified on the customer's bill;
3. How a customer can dispute audiotext
				service charges;
4. How a customer
				can block audiotext service calls from their telephone and at what charge;
				and
5. A statement that informs the
				customer that their basic telephone service is not at risk for failure to pay
				for audiotext service charges.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 202 - REQUIREMENTS FOR AUDIOTEXT (PAY-PER-CALL) SERVICE › Section 407-202-6 - DISPUTE PROCEDURES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. A telephone
				utility must follow the minimum dispute resolution provisions of Chapter 810
				and Chapter 860 of the Commission's rules when the customer disputes an
				audiotext service charge.
B. Upon
				receipt of the customer's dispute, the telephone utility must either delete
				that audiotext service charge from the customer's bill for basic telephone
				service or investigate and attempt in good faith to resolve the dispute. Any
				investigation must, at a minimum, include a demonstration that the audiotext
				service provider has complied with the applicable rules of the Federal
				Communications Commission and any applicable rules adopted by the Attorney
				General pursuant to the Maine Unfair Trade Practices Act.
C. A telephone utility may refer a customer's
				dispute concerning an interstate audiotext service to the long distance company
				that bills for the audiotext service. However, the telephone utility must
				either remove the charge from the customer's bill or identify the charges on
				customer bills as subject to dispute while the dispute is pending at the long
				distance company. In the event a long distance company does its own customer
				dispute resolution, and does not rely on the telephone utility to provide
				dispute resolution for audiotext service charges, the long distance company
				shall either remove the charge from the customer's bill or identify the
				specific charges in dispute on the bill while the dispute is pending.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 204 - BASIC SERVICE CALLING AREAS › Section 407-204-1 - Purpose and Applicability

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Purpose
. The purpose of this Chapter is to create a statewide
				system for establishing basic service calling areas (BSCAs) and calling options
				within those BSCAs that permit customers to select calling rates and rate
				structures suited to their calling patterns.
B.
Applicability
. This Chapter
				applies to all local exchange carriers that are subject to the Commission's
				jurisdiction and that the Commission has designated as "Eligible
				Telecommunications Carriers."
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 204 - BASIC SERVICE CALLING AREAS › Section 407-204-3 - Basic Service Calling Area Options

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Customer Options for Basic Service Calling Areas
.
1.
Options Available Following
				Additions to BSCA.
a.
General
				Rule
. When additional exchanges are added to a BSCA (including pursuant
				to the December 2002 amendment to this Chapter that requires the inclusion of
				all contiguous exchanges), flat-rate unlimited calling to those exchanges shall
				be included in the exchange's Premium calling option rather than the Economy
				option.
b.
Proposal for
				Exception
. The Commission may grant an exception to the general rule
				contained in sub-paragraph (a) if it concludes that the inclusion of flat-rate
				unlimited calling to the new exchanges in the Premium option, rather than in
				the Economy option, is likely to result in a rate for the Premium Option that
				is so high that it is likely to deter customers from subscribing to the option.
				If a LEC proposes this exception, it shall first establish that it cannot
				address the matter through the rate design for the two options pursuant to
				Section
				5(A). Pursuant to
				this exception, the Commission may order that flat-rate unlimited calling to
				some or all of the additional exchanges be added to the Economy
				option.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 204 - BASIC SERVICE CALLING AREAS › Section 407-204-4 - Implementation of BSCA Options

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Filing of
				Rate Schedules and Terms and Conditions
. Within 56 days (8 weeks)
				following the establishment of any new or changed BSCA, or any additional
				calling option within a BSCA, each LEC shall file any necessary change to its
				rate schedules and terms and conditions.
B.
Customer Notice
. Within 56
				days (8 weeks) following Commission approval of any changes in rates or terms
				and conditions filed pursuant to Section
				4(A), Local Exchange
				Carriers shall send a notice to each customer served by a home exchange in
				which a change to a BSCA or to a calling option will take place. The LEC shall
				provide a copy of the notice to the Commission. The notice will provide the
				following information:
1. A description of the
				Economy and Premium options, a list of the exchanges included in each option,
				and the rates for each option, including the flat rates under each option for
				unlimited calling to the exchanges for which the flat rates apply, and the
				per-minute rate for calls to the exchanges in the Economy option for which
				per-minute rates apply;
2. A
				statement that the customer is entitled to receive municipal calling regardless
				of which option the customer chooses; and information about:
a. How to obtain municipal calling if the
				customer is presubscribed to interexchange service other than that provided by
				or through the local exchange carrier; and
b. How to obtain municipal calling or
				corrections to bills if the customer is presubscribed to interexchange service
				provided by or through the local exchange carrier and interexchange toll or
				per-minute BSCA charges for calls within the customer's municipality
				incorrectly appear on the customer's bill;
3. A statement that sets a deadline of 56
				days (8 weeks) from the mailing of the notice and that advises customers that
				they may select the Economy or the Premium option prior to the deadline and
				informs customers of the default option if they do not select. Unless otherwise
				ordered by the Commission, whenever there is a change in the BSCA options in a
				home exchange, the default option for customers who have subscribed to an
				option at the time of change is the option to which a customer is then
				subscribed.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 204 - BASIC SERVICE CALLING AREAS › Section 407-204-5 - RATES FOR BASIC SERVICE CALLING AREA OPTIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Rates for BSCA Options
When a LEC implements new or modified BSCAs, it may propose
				  monthly Economy and Premium option rates for the recovery of additional
				  equipment and administrative costs and revenue losses resulting from the
				  provision of the new or modified BSCA calling options. The Commission shall
				  review and approve the rates. Beyond any rate increase that may occur as a
				  result of a change in a home exchange's rate group, rate increases shall apply
				  to a specific exchange or to several exchanges and to each option as
				  follows:
1.
Exchanges
.
				When the BSCA of a home exchange is increased, the LEC may propose:
a. Rates for the home exchange that will
				recover the costs and revenue losses that occur as a result of the change in
				the BSCA; or
b. Rates for other
				exchanges that, in combination with rate increases for the home exchange, will
				recover some of the costs and revenue losses if the rates for the home exchange
				under sub-paragraph a would be substantially higher than rates for other
				exchanges served by the LEC that have equivalent calling areas; or
c. Rates for all or most of the LEC's
				exchanges that will recover the costs and revenue losses associated with the
				change in BSCA when it applies generally to all or most of the LEC's exchanges,
				as when a change in this Chapter requires a systematic change in the definition
				of BSCAs or calling options.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 204 - BASIC SERVICE CALLING AREAS › Section 407-204-6 - Requests for Changes to BSCAs and Calling Options

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Requests by Local Exchange Carrier
. A LEC may ask the Commission
				to modify the BSCA for an exchange or any calling option for that exchange,
				notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter.
1.
Contents of Request
. The LEC
				must make the request in writing. The request must explain and justify why the
				Commission should grant the request, must propose a reasonable alternative to
				any requirement of the Rule that the LEC has proposed should not apply, and
				must describe how granting the request would be consistent with the purpose of
				this Rule. The LEC must send a copy of the request to the Public
				Advocate.
2.
Consideration by
				Commission
. The Commission will determine whether and how to solicit
				comments from interested persons. The Commission, at its discretion, may hold a
				hearing. The Commission will consider the LEC's written request, any comments
				or testimony, or other evidence, and the standards contained in subsection C,
				in determining whether to grant, deny, or modify the request.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 204 - BASIC SERVICE CALLING AREAS › Section 407-204-7 - WAIVERS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
The Commission, on its own motion or on the request of any
				  person, may waive any provision of this rule that is not addressed by the
				  provisions of Section
				  6.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 206 - STANDARDS FOR DESIGNATING AND CERTIFYING ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS QUALIFIED TO RECEIVE FEDERAL UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND SUPPORT › Section 407-206-1 - PURPOSE

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
The purpose of this Chapter is to set forth the standards
				  that the Commission will apply in designating a Telecommunications Provider as
				  an "Eligible Telecommunications Carrier" (ETC) pursuant to 47 U.S.C
				  §214(e) and annually certifying ETCs pursuant to 47 C.F.R. §54.314.
				  The Commission does not designate as ETCs Telecommunications Providers seeking
				  such designation solely for the purpose of receiving low-income support to
				  provide services such as Lifeline. Telecommunications Providers seeking such
				  designation must apply to the Federal Communications Commission
				  (FCC).
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 206 - STANDARDS FOR DESIGNATING AND CERTIFYING ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS QUALIFIED TO RECEIVE FEDERAL UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND SUPPORT › Section 407-206-2 - DEFINITIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Applicant
. "Applicant" is any
				Telecommunications Provider that petitions the Commission to be designated,
				pursuant to 47 U.S.C. §214(e), as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier
				(ETC) for the purpose of seeking federal high cost universal service fund
				support pursuant to 47 C.F.R. §§54.307, 54.313, or 54.314.
B.
Competitive Eligible
				Telecommunications Carrier and "CETC."
"Competitive Eligible
				Telecommunications Carrier" or "CETC" is an ETC that is not an Incumbent Local
				Exchange Carrier.
C.
Eligible
				Telecommunications Carrier and "ETC."
"Eligible Telecommunications
				Carrier" or "ETC" is a provider designated by the Commission to receive support
				from federal universal service mechanisms in exchange for providing services
				supported by federal universal service mechanisms, pursuant to Section 254 of
				the Telecommunications Act of 1996, 47 U.S.C. §151 et seq.
D.
Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier and
				"ILEC."
"Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier" or "ILEC" is a local exchange
				carrier or its successor that provided local exchange service in a defined
				service territory in Maine on February 8, 1996 or that is designated as an ILEC
				pursuant to 47 U.S.C. §251(h)(2).
E.
Facilities.
"Facilities"
				means, for the purpose of §
									3 of this Chapter, any components of
				the telecommunications network that are used in provision of services that are
				supported by federal universal service mechanisms.
F.
SHP Format.
"shp format"
				means the format used for creating and storing digital maps composed of shape
				files capable of being opened by the computer application Arc GIS.
G.
Telecommunications Provider
.
				A "Telecommunications Provider" or "Provider" is any provider of communications
				transmission by telephone, whether the communications are accomplished with or
				without the use of transmission wires.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 206 - STANDARDS FOR DESIGNATING AND CERTIFYING ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS QUALIFIED TO RECEIVE FEDERAL UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND SUPPORT › Section 407-206-3 - CONTENTS OF PETITION BY APPLICANT

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A petition from an Applicant that is not an ILEC for
				  designation as an ETC must contain the following information:
A.
Service Area
1. A description of the area or areas for
				which designation is sought; and
2.
				A statement that the Applicant will offer the services supported by high cost
				federal universal service support mechanisms throughout the area for which it
				seeks designation, either using its own facilities or a combination of its own
				facilities and resale of another carrier's services (including the services
				offered by another ETC)
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 206 - STANDARDS FOR DESIGNATING AND CERTIFYING ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS QUALIFIED TO RECEIVE FEDERAL UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND SUPPORT › Section 407-206-4 - COMMISSION APPROVAL OF PETITIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A The Commission
				will approve an application for designation as an ETC if the petition meets the
				requirements of this Chapter, the designation will advance some or all of the
				purposes of universal service found in 47 U.S.C. §254, and the designation
				is in the public interest.
B. In
				determining whether the designation is in the public interest, the Commission
				may:
1. consider the benefits of increased
				consumer choice, and the unique advantages and disadvantages of the Applicant's
				service offering, and
2. in
				instances where an Applicant seeks designation below the study area level of a
				rural telephone company, the Commission may conduct an analysis to determine
				whether the Applicant is seeking to use federal universal service fund support
				to expand service in a manner that favors its low-cost areas. The Commission
				will conduct this analysis by comparing the population density of each wire
				center in which the Applicant seeks designation against that of the wire
				centers in the study area in which the Applicant does not seek
				designation.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 206 - STANDARDS FOR DESIGNATING AND CERTIFYING ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS QUALIFIED TO RECEIVE FEDERAL UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND SUPPORT › Section 407-206-5 - ANNUAL CERTIFICATION OF ETCs

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Annual
				Filing by CETCs
Each CETC seeking continued certification of the CETC's use
				  of federal high cost universal service fund support pursuant to 47 C.F.R.
				  §§54.307, 54.313, or 54.314 must request continued certification by
				  July 31 and must certify that it will use federal high cost universal service
				  funds only for the provision, maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and
				  services for which the support is intended. Each CETC seeking continued
				  certification must also file by July 31 the annual report and certifications
				  required pursuant to Section
				  6 of this Chapter.
B.
Commission Consideration of
				CETCs
The Commission will approve continued certification of a CETC
				  if the CETC meets the requirements of this Chapter and has, to the greatest
				  extent possible, carried out its investment plan filed pursuant to sections
				  3(C) and
				  6(H). The Commission
				  may also consider whether continued designation as an ETC will advance some or
				  all of the purposes of universal service found in 47 U.S.C. §254, and the
				  designation is in the public interest.
C.
Commission Consideration of ETCs
				that are ILECs
The Commission shall determine whether each ILEC uses federal
				  Universal Service Funds in a manner consistent with the requirements of 47
				  U.S.C. §214(e). Upon making such a determination, the Commission shall
				  approve continued certification of the ILEC as an ETC. The Commission may
				  require an ILEC to provide additional information to show that it meets the
				  federal requirements.
D.
Relinquishment of ETC Designation
A CETC seeking to relinquish its designation as an ETC for an
				  area served by more than one ETC shall file a petition with the Commission not
				  less than 9 months prior to the date of the proposed relinquishment.
E.
Consumer Assistance
				Division
The Commission's Consumer Assistance Division shall resolve
				  consumer disputes associated with all carriers that are ETCs using the dispute
				  resolution procedures established in the Commission's rules.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 206 - STANDARDS FOR DESIGNATING AND CERTIFYING ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS QUALIFIED TO RECEIVE FEDERAL UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND SUPPORT › Section 407-206-7 - WAIVER

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Upon the request of any person subject to this Rule or upon
				  its own motion, the Commission may, for good cause, waive any requirement of
				  this Chapter that is not required by statute. The waiver may not be
				  inconsistent with the purposes of this Chapter or Title 35-A. The Commission,
				  the Director of the Consumer Assistance Division, or the Presiding Officer
				  assigned to a proceeding related to this Chapter, may grant the waiver.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 210 - UNIFORM SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS FOR TELEPHONE UTILITIES › Section 407-210-1 - Accounting Systems

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. Except as
				provided in B, C and D, below, and in sections
				4,
				5 and
				6, every telephone utility as defined
				in
				35-A M.R.S.A.
				§102 shall maintain its books of account
				according to the manner and form prescribed by the Federal Communications
				Commission (FCC) Part 32 Uniform System of Accounts for Telecommunications
				Companies (USOA) 47 C.F.R. 32, adopted May 1, 1986; provided that each
				telephone utility shall adhere to the system of accounts specified for Class A
				companies as modified by the accounting conventions and procedures contained in
				Section
				8 of this Rule; and each telephone
				utility shall comply with all of the other applicable requirements of section
				8, unless waived pursuant to section
				6.
B. Any telephone utility which has total
				intrastate revenues under $10 million dollars may, at its option, maintain its
				books of accounts according to the FCC Part 32 USOA for Class B companies;
				provided that each such utility shall maintain its Telecommunications Plant In
				Service detail accounts and corresponding accumulated depreciation subsidiary
				records according to the Class A system.
C. Every Radio Common Carrier, As defined in
				Chapter 24 of the Commission's Rules and Regulations, shall maintain its books
				of account in the manner prescribed in the Uniform System of Accounts for Radio
				Common Carriers, July 1987, as promulgated by the National Association of
				Regulatory Utility Commissioner.
D.
				Every Cellular Service provider, as defined in Chapter 24 of the Commission's
				Rules and Regulations, shall maintain its books of account in the manner
				prescribed in the Uniform System of Accounts for prescribed in the Uniform
				System of Accounts for Cellular Communications Licensees, July 1985, as
				promulgated by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.
				All cellular providers who have implemented the 1987 RCC USOA prior to the
				effective date of this revision may continue to use the July 1987 RCC USOA as
				promulgated by NARUC.
E. Every
				telephone utility which uses a cost of service methodology for either
				interstate or intrastate toll revenue settlements must use the accounting
				system prescribed in paragraphs A and B effective January 1, 1988.
Any telephone utility which does not use a cost of service
				  methodology for either interstate or intrastate toll revenue settlements must
				  use the accounting system prescribed in paragraphs A and B on or before January
				  1, 1990.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 210 - UNIFORM SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS FOR TELEPHONE UTILITIES › Section 407-210-3 - Reporting

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. Filing of Annual Report.
Within 90 days of the closing of the annual accounts, each
				  telephone utility shall file a report verified by an officer or owner of the
				  utility, containing such information as the Commission may prescribe, provided,
				  however, that to the extent such information includes investments in or income
				  or loss from unregulated activities, such information relating to unregulated
				  activities shall be contained in a separate report which shall satisfy all of
				  the other requirements of this rule.
B. Filing of Audit Report.
All accounts shall be audited in accordance with Chapter 710
				  of the Rules of the Maine Public Utilities Commission (65-407 C.M.R. 710). A
				  copy of the auditor's report, accompanied by the audited financial statements,
				  shall be filed with the Commission not later than the first day of the fourth
				  month following the 12-month period for which the audit was conducted, except
				  that audit reports based on a fiscal year ending December 31 must be filed by
				  the following July 1. The utility shall file with the audited financial
				  statements a cover sheet describing any discrepancies between the audited
				  financial statements and the annual report or reports filed by the utility
				  under section
				  3(A).
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 210 - UNIFORM SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS FOR TELEPHONE UTILITIES › Section 407-210-4 - Exemption for Utilities Operating a Radio Paging Service

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Any public utility which operates a radio paging service
				  shall maintain a separate set of books of accounts or establish a separate
				  subsidiary for its paging operations, unless exempted by the Commission
				  pursuant to
				   35-A M.R.S.A.
				  §8501 for good cause shown. If a
				  separate set of books is used, the requirements contained in Part 32 shall
				  apply.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 210 - UNIFORM SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS FOR TELEPHONE UTILITIES › Section 407-210-5 - COCOT Exemption

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Any public utility which is a utility, as defined in
				   35-A M.R.S.A.
				  §102(13), only because
				  of its operation of a Customer Owned Coin Operated Telephone (COCOT) as defined
				  in Chapter 25(1)(A) of the Commission's Rules (650407 C.M.R. Ch. 25) shall be
				  exempt from the accounting requirements of this Rule as set forth in section
				  1.A.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 210 - UNIFORM SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS FOR TELEPHONE UTILITIES › Section 407-210-6 - Waivers

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
For good cause shown, the Commission may waive any of the
				  requirements of this Rule, provided such waiver does not unduly undermine the
				  purposes of this Rule and is permitted by statute. The Commission may also
				  subsequently rescind, alter, or amend any such waiver for good cause. The
				  Commission delegates to the Director of Finance the authority to issue,
				  rescind, alter, or amend a waiver with respect to any of the requirements of
				  this Rule. This delegation in no way limits the Commission's authority to
				  review the decision of the Director of Finance or to issue, rescind, alter, or
				  amend a waiver directly.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 210 - UNIFORM SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS FOR TELEPHONE UTILITIES › Section 407-210-7 - Confidential Information

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. Any other
				provision of this Chapter notwithstanding, any separate report containing
				information on unregulated activities which is filed as a separate report
				pursuant to the provision clause in Section
				3(A) shall be
				considered and treated by the Commission and by all other persons to whom
				access thereto may be accorded pursuant to the terms of this section as
				confidential ("Confidential Information").
B. The Commission shall physically segregate
				all such Confidential Information in its possession and shall keep the same in
				separate located facilities.
C.
				Access to Confidential Information shall be limited to the Commission's
				members, employees and agents (including, without limitation, its consultants,
				experts and counsel). No other person shall be granted access except by order
				of the Commission or by a Hearing Examiner in a proceeding before the
				Commission.
D. Only such copies of
				Confidential Information as are necessary to the efficient functioning of the
				Commission shall be made and all such copies shall themselves be deemed and
				treated as Confidential Information.
E. In the event that the Commission receives
				a request from any person other than those specified in Paragraph C under the
				Freedom of Access Law (
				 1 M.R.S.A.
				§§401 et seq.) or otherwise to
				inspect or copy such Confidential Information, it shall promptly notify the
				affected telephone utility of the request. It shall also provide prompt
				notification to the affected utility of any judicial action filed against the
				Commission for disclosure.
F. In
				deciding whether to issue an order permitting access to Confidential
				Information, the Commission or Hearing Examiner shall take into account the
				utility's need for confidentiality and the person's need for the information.
				If access is granted, appropriate provisions shall be made for the protection
				of confidential information from unwarranted public disclosure.
G. A notice in the following form shall be
				posted at the locked facilities in which confidential information is
				located:
NOTICE
The information in this file is designated confidential by
				  Chapter 210 of the Rules of the Maine Public Utilities Commission. Disclosure
				  of any such Confidential Information to any person other than Commission
				  members, employees, or agents is prohibited, unless permitted by order of the
				  Commission or a Hearing Examiner.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 210 - UNIFORM SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS FOR TELEPHONE UTILITIES › Section 407-210-8 - Part 32 Implementation Requirements

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
This Section establishes the accounting and implementation
				  requirements.
A. Initial Notice of
				Intent -
No later than 4 months after the effective date of this rule,
				  all telephone utilities shall file an Initial Notice of Intent (Initial Notice)
				  with the Commission concerning the implementation of the Part 32 USOA. the
				  change in USOA shall automatically take effect according to the information
				  contained in the Initial notice. The Initial Notice shall contain a statement
				  concerning the following information and practices:
(1) The effective date of implementation of
				Part 32 for intrastate purposes (see section 1.E. ) and the class of company
				(see sections 1.A. and 1.B. ).
(2)
				The accounting methods adhered to when GAAP or Part 32 requires or allows and
				option. Where GAAP permits more than one accounting method, the telephone
				utility shall include a statement as to which method it shall adhere to. For
				intrastate purposes, a telephone utility must petition for any change from the
				methods set forth in the Initial Notice.
(3) A representation of the utility's
				continued adherence to prior Commission ratemaking policies, including a
				statement that no accounting and ratemaking requirements instituted by the
				Commission, of which the utility is aware, will be negated by the adoption of
				Part 32 and that separate accounts shall be established to account for any
				difference. A list of those policies which would otherwise be overridden by the
				adoption of Part 32 and the account number in which jurisdictional differences
				shall be recorded. A statement listing the amount of any embedded liability
				which results from adopting Part 32.
(4) A description of the procedures for
				recording affiliate transactions, and transactions between the utility and its
				affiliated interests, as defined by
				 35-A M.R.S.A.
				§707.
(5) An estimate of the costs associated with
				implementing Part 32.
Future changes to any of the provisions set out in the
				  Initial Notice require prior written notice to and approval by the Commission
				  or the Director of Finance.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 214 - EXEMPTION OF TELEPHONE UTILITIES FROM CERTAIN FILING AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS › Section 407-214-1 - DEFINITIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
As used in this Chapter, the following words and phrases
				  shall have the following meanings:
A.
Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC).
"Incumbent Local Exchange
				Carrier" or "ILEC" means a telephone utility that is a local exchange carrier
				or its successor that provided local exchange service in a defined service
				territory in Maine on February 8, 1996 or that is designated as an ILEC
				pursuant to 47 U.S.C. §251(h)(2).
B.
Bundled Service.
"Bundled
				Service" means a single retail service offering that includes local service and
				intrastate interexchange service, that may include additional services, and
				that is offered at a single price.
C.
Commission.
"Commission"
				means the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
D.
Detariffed Status.
"Detariffed Status" means that a telephone utility is exempt through the terms
				of this Chapter from filing specific tariffs and must comply with the terms of
				this Chapter with respect to those tariffs.
E.
Telephone Utility.
"Telephone
				Utility" means a telephone utility, as defined by
				 35-A M.R.S.A.
				§102(19).
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 214 - EXEMPTION OF TELEPHONE UTILITIES FROM CERTAIN FILING AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS › Section 407-214-2 - PURPOSE

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
The purpose of this Chapter is to exempt certain telephone
				  utilities, with respect to specific services, from the statutory requirements
				  that a utility file, and the Commission approve, schedules of rates, terms and
				  conditions. This Chapter also establishes conditions under which the Commission
				  may grant additional exemptions or revoke exemptions.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 214 - EXEMPTION OF TELEPHONE UTILITIES FROM CERTAIN FILING AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS › Section 407-214-3 - DESIGNATION OF DETARIFFED STATUS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Initial
				Designation of Detariffed Status
1.
Telephone Utilities that are not ILECs.
Unless otherwise revoked
				pursuant to Section
				5, all telephone utilities that are
				not ILECs are granted detariffed status with respect to all retail services
				they provide, in all geographic areas they serve. This subsection is applicable
				to telephone utilities that are affiliates of ILECs, provided the affiliate is
				not an ILEC itself
2.
ILEC
				and ILEC-affiliated Intrastate Interexchange Services.
Unless otherwise
				revoked pursuant to Section
				5, all ILECs and ILEC-affiliated IXCs
				are granted detariffed status with respect to rates, terms, and conditions
				governing retail intrastate interexchange service, in all geographic areas they
				serve.
3.
ILEC Bundled
				Services.
Unless otherwise revoked pursuant to Section
				5, all ILECs are granted detariffed
				status with respect to rates, terms, and conditions governing a retail bundled
				service, in all geographic areas they serve.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 214 - EXEMPTION OF TELEPHONE UTILITIES FROM CERTAIN FILING AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS › Section 407-214-4 - TREATMENT OF RATES AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS THAT HAVE DETARIFFED STATUS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Filing Requirements
. If a
				telephone utility has obtained detariffed status with respect to some or all of
				its services, in some or all of the geographic locations it serves, it is
				exempt from the filing requirements of
				 35-A M.R.S.A.
				§§304 and
				307
				for those services, in those locations, and it shall not file tariffs for those
				services, in those locations, with the Commission.
B.
Treatment of Existing
				Tariffs
. All tariffs for services that are granted detariffed status on
				the effective date of this rule are null and void.
C.
Web Page Postings
. A
				telephone utility must post on its web page, retain on paper in its offices,
				and provide upon request the rates, terms and conditions for all services that
				have been granted detariffed status and that are offered to qualifying
				customers in Maine. These shall contain the date on which each rate, term, or
				condition is in effect and shall be placed on the web page and be available on
				paper no later than the date on which the rate, term, or condition becomes
				effective. The information shall be sufficiently clear and complete that the
				Commission and customers can understand the price and the terms of the
				service.
D.
Consumer
				Assistance Division.
The Commission's Consumer Assistance Division (CAD)
				shall exercise its authority pursuant to
				 35-A M.R.S.A.
				§704 to resolve consumer disputes with
				utilities as they relate to services that have been granted detariffed status.
				The CAD shall use information from the utility's web page postings or paper,
				established in subsection
				4(C), as a substitute
				for the utility's filed tariffs.
E.
Effective Date
. A utility may begin observing the terms of this
				Chapter at any time during the 180 days following the effective date of the
				Chapter. After that time, the provisions of this Chapter shall be effective for
				all utilities. No later than 60 days after the effective date of this Chapter,
				ILECs shall submit to the Commission tariffs, portions of tariffs, or revised
				tariffs that have been granted detariffed status by this Chapter. The submitted
				tariffs shall clearly display the portions that are detariffed, through
				"redlining" or other editing mechanisms.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 214 - EXEMPTION OF TELEPHONE UTILITIES FROM CERTAIN FILING AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS › Section 407-214-5 - REVOCATION OF EXEMPTIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Upon the request of any person or upon its own motion, for
				  good cause, the Commission may revoke any detariffed status designation granted
				  pursuant to this Chapter. The revocation may be in whole or in part and may be
				  specific to a single telephone utility, a single service, or a single
				  geographic location. For the purpose of this Section, the Commission shall
				  consider, but not be limited to, the factors specified in subsection
				  3(B)(2) and
				  3(B)(3) to constitute
				  good cause.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 214 - EXEMPTION OF TELEPHONE UTILITIES FROM CERTAIN FILING AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS › Section 407-214-6 - WAIVER

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Upon the request of any person subject to the provisions of
				  this Chapter or upon its own motion, the Commission may, for good cause, waive
				  any of the requirements of this Chapter that are not required by statute. The
				  waiver may not be inconsistent with the purpose of this Chapter or Title 35-A.
				  The Commission, the Director of Technical Analysis, or the Presiding Officer
				  assigned to a proceeding related to this Chapter may grant the waiver.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 220 - REMOVAL OF PROVIDER OF LAST RESORT SERVICE OBLIGATION › Section 407-220-1 - PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Purpose.
The purpose of this Chapter is to establish the
				requirements that must be met and the procedures that must be followed before
				and after a Price Cap ILEC is relieved of the obligation to provide Provider of
				Last Resort service. This Chapter also establishes the findings the Commission
				must make to approve a request by a Price Cap ILEC to discontinue, reduce, or
				impair the service it provides in a municipality where it had previously served
				as the provider of Provider of Last Resort service.
B.
Applicability.
This Chapter
				applies to Price Cap ILECs who are providing Provider of Last Resort service in
				Maine as of the effective date of this Chapter.
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 220 - REMOVAL OF PROVIDER OF LAST RESORT SERVICE OBLIGATION › Section 407-220-2 - DEFINITIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A.
Designated Municipality.
"Designated Municipality" is any municipality scheduled for removal of Provider
				of Last Resort Service pursuant to
				35-A M.R.S.
				section7221(4)(A) and (B),
				i.e., Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, South Portland, Auburn, Biddeford, Sanford,
				Scarborough, Gorham, Waterville, Kennebunk, Cape Elizabeth, Old Orchard Beach,
				Yarmouth, Bath, Westbrook, Freeport, Brewer, Kittery, Windham, Brunswick, and
				Augusta.
B.
Incumbent Local
				Exchange Carrier.
"Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier" has the same
				meaning as in
				47 U.S.C. section
				251.
C.
Price Cap ILEC.
"Price Cap
				ILEC" means an incumbent local exchange carrier that agreed to accept Connect
				America Fund Phase II support pursuant to the Federal Communications
				Commission's Report and Order released on December 18, 2014, In the Matter of
				Connect America Fund, WC Docket No. 10-90, FCC 14-190, for locations within the
				State on or before January 1, 2016 and does not receive funding from a state
				universal service fund under
				35-A M.R.S.
				section7104.
D.
Non-Designated Municipality.
"Non-Designated Municipality" is any municipality not listed in Section 2(A) of
				this Chapter.
E.
Provider of
				Last Resort Service.
"Provider of Last Resort Service" or "POLR Service"
				has the same meaning as in
				35-A M.R.S.
				section7201(7).
F.
Voice Network Service
				Provider.
"Voice Network Service Provider" has the same meaning as in
				 35-A M.R.S.
				section7104(3).
Code of Maine Rules › 65 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › 407 - PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION › Chapter 220 - REMOVAL OF PROVIDER OF LAST RESORT SERVICE OBLIGATION › Section 407-220-3 - REMOVAL OF POLR SERVICE OBLIGATION IN DESIGNATED MUNICIPALITIES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. Procedure for Removal of POLR Service
				Obligation
1.
Initial Legislative
				Removal of POLR Service Obligation.
Effective August 29, 2016, the POLR
				service obligationin Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, South Portland, Auburn,
				Biddeford, and Sanford has been removed.
2.
Subsequent Removal of POLR Service
				Obligation from Designated Municipalities.
Every six months after July
				29, 2016, the Commission shall examine the service quality reports for the
				preceding two consecutive calendar quarters filed by the Price Cap ILECs
				pursuant to
				35-A M.R.S.
				section7225-A. If the service quality
				requirements of section 7225-A have been met, section 7221 requires the
				Commission to issue a certificate to the relevant Price Cap ILEC removing the
				obligation to provide POLR service in a group of five municipalities, in the
				following order:
Group 1: Scarborough, Gorham, Waterville, Kennebunk, Cape
				  Elizabeth.
Group 2: Old Orchard Beach, Yarmouth, Bath, Westbrook,
				  Freeport.
Group 3: Brewer, Kittery, Windham, Brunswick, Augusta.