NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE

REGULATIONS OF THE REGULATORY COMMISSION OF ALASKA

The Regulatory Commission of Alaska (Commission) proposes, in Docket R-15-007, to adopt regulation changes in Title 3 of the Alaska Administrative Code expanding the Alaska Universal Service Fund (AUSF) contribution base.  Specifically, the Commission is considering amending 3 AAC 53.340(a) to include interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) as a service that is subject to the AUSF surcharge.  In addition, the Commission is considering adopting a definition of interconnected VoIP under 3 AAC 53.399.

You may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes, by submitting written comments to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska at 701 West 8th Avenue, Suite 300, Anchorage, Alaska 99501.  Additionally, the Regulatory Commission of Alaska will accept comments via its website at:

http://rca.alaska.gov/RCAWeb/WhatsNew/PublicNoticesComments.aspx.

Initial comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., on April 20, 2016, and should reference Docket R-15-007.  Reply comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., on May 11, 2016, and should also reference Docket R-15-007.

If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Joyce McGowan at 907-276-6222, toll-free at 1-800-390-2782, TTY (907) 276-4533 or by electronic mail to rca.mail@alaska.gov no later than April 13, 2016, for initial comments and May 4, 2016, for reply comments to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.

Since this is a regulations proceeding, commenters are not required to serve their comments on the other entities set out on the service list of this notice.  Interested persons may request from the Commission copies of the comments filed in this proceeding.  For a copy of the proposed regulation changes and related materials contact the Commission’s Records & Filings Section at the above address or at (907) 276-6222 or go to:  http://rca.alaska.gov/RCAWeb/Home.aspx.  Those seeking to obtain the materials on the website may select “All Open Rule-making Dockets” under Top Searches and choose Matter Number “R-15-007.”

After the public comment period ends, the Commission will either adopt the proposed regulation changes or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action.  The language of the final regulations may be different from that of the proposed regulations.  YOU SHOULD COMMENT DURING THE TIME ALLOWED IF YOUR INTERESTS COULD BE AFFECTED.  Written comments received are public records and are subject to public inspection.

Statutory Authority:  AS 42.05.141, AS 42.05.145, AS 42.05.151, AS 42.05.431, AS 42.05.711, AS 42.05.800, AS 42.05.840.

Statutes Being Implemented, Interpreted, or Made Specific:  AS 42.05.840.

Fiscal Information:  The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation, and a fiscal note is not required.

DATED at Anchorage, Alaska, 21st day of March 2016.

                                                  REGULATORY COMMISSION OF ALASKA

                                                  Robert M. Pickett, Chairman

ADDITIONAL REGULATION NOTICE INFORMATION

(AS 44.62.190(g))

1.            Adopting agency:  Regulatory Commission of Alaska

2.            General subject of regulation: Alaska Universal Service Fund (AUSF)

3.            Citation of regulation (may be grouped): 3 AAC 53.340 and 3 AAC 53.399

4.            Department of Law file number, if any:  JU2016200221

5.            Reason for the proposed action:

(   )      Compliance with federal law

(   )      Compliance with new or changed state statute

(   )      Compliance with court order

(   )      Development of program standards

( X)      Other (identify):  General Communication, Inc.’s petition to expand regulations governing the AUSF contribution base to include Interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol

6.            Appropriation/Allocation:  Commerce/RCA

7.            Cost of implementation to the state agency and available funding (in thousands of dollars):

Initial Year           Subsequent

FY  2016               Years

Operating Cost                                 $   0             $   0    

Capital Cost                                      $   0            $   0   

1002 Federal receipts                     $   0                       $   0      

1003 General fund match              $   0                       $   0              

1004 General fund                           $   0                       $   0    

1005 General fund/

   program                                        $   0                       $   0 

Other (identify)                                $   0                       $   0   

8.            The name of the contact person for the regulation:

Name:  Richard Gazaway              

Title:  Advisory Section Manager              

Address:  701 W. Eighth Avenue, Suite 300

                 Anchorage, AK 99501                          

Telephone:  907-263-2164                

E-mail address:  richard.gazaway@alaska.gov     

9.            The origin of the proposed action:

_____        Staff of state agency

_____        Federal government

_____        General public

    X             Petition for regulation change

_____       Other (identify)                             

10.         Date: March 21, 2016                     Prepared by:                                   

Name:  Robert M. Pickett

Title:  Chairman

Telephone:  907-276-6222