NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES IN THE
REGULATIONS OF THE REGULATORY COMMISSION OF ALASKA
The Regulatory Commission of Alaska (Commission) proposes, in Docket R-18-001, to repeal regulations in Title 3 of the Alaska Administrative Code related to the Alaska Universal Service Fund (Fund), the programs the Fund directly supports, and the general administration of the Fund; and possible revisions to ancillary regulations, including regulations related to intrastate access charges that may be necessitated by the proposed repeal. The Commission proposes to phase out the Fund over a period of time with an effective date for the full repeal of July 31, 2019.
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 the Commission’s website at: https://rca.alaska.gov/RCAWeb/WhatsNew/PublicNoticesComments.aspx. Comments may also be submitted electronically through the Alaska Online Public Notice System, by accessing this notice on the system and using the “comment” link. All comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on February 26, 2018. No reply comments are scheduled.
If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact Valerie Fletcher-Mitchell at (907) 276-6222, toll-free at 1-800-390-2782 or TTY/Alaska Relay: 7-1-1 or (800) 770-8973 no later than three business days before the relevant public comment period ends to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.
Since this is a regulation proceeding, commenters are not required to serve their comments on other entities or persons 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 material 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 at the above website must pick “All Open Rulemaking Dockets” under Top Searches and choose matter number R-18-001.
After the public comment period ends, the Regulatory Commission of Alaska 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 42.05.291; AS 42.05.306; AS 42.05.311; AS 42.05.321; AS 42.05.361; AS 42.05.371; AS 42.05.381; AS 42.05.391; AS 42.05.431; AS 42.05.571; AS 42.05.581; AS 42.05.611; AS 42.05.711; AS 42.05.800; AS 42.05.810; AS 42.05.830; AS 42.05.840
Statutes Being Implemented, Interpreted, or Made Specific: AS 42.05.141; AS 42.05.145; AS 42.05.151; AS 42.05.291; AS 42.05.306; AS 42.05.431; AS 42.05.800; AS 42.05.810; AS 42.05.830; AS 42.05.840
Fiscal Information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.
DATE: January 12, 2018 Stephen McAlpine, Chairman
[1]ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS NOTICE INFORMATION
(AS 44.62.190(g))
1. Adopting agency: Regulatory Commission of Alaska
2. General subject of regulation: Alaska Universal Service Fund
3. Citation of regulation (may be grouped): 3 AAC 48.442, 3 AAC 52.372, 3 AAC 53.300-.399, 3 AAC 53.740.-799
4. Department of Law file number, if any:
5. Reason for the proposed action:
( ) Compliance with federal
( ) Compliance with new or changed state statute
( ) Compliance with court order
( ) Development of program standards
( X ) Other (please list): repealing regulations regarding the Alaska Universal Service Fund
6. Appropriation/Allocation: Regulatory Commission of Alaska
7. Cost of implementation to the state agency and available funding (in thousands of dollars):
Initial Year Subsequent
FY 18 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
1037 General fund/
mental health $ 0 $ 0
Other $ 0 $ 0
8. The name of the contact person for the regulations:
Name: David Parrish
Title: Common Carrier Specialist IV
Address: 701 W. Eighth Avenue, Suite 300
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Telephone: 907-263-2194
E-mail address david.parrish@alaska.gov
9. The origin of the proposed action:
X Staff of state agency
_____ Federal government
_____ General public
_____ Petition for regulation change
_____ Other (identify)
10. Date: __________________ Prepared by:
Name: David Parrish
Title: Common Carrier Specialist IV
Telephone: 907-263-2194