Common carrier services: State Joint Conference,
[Federal Register: October 30, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 210)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 66069-66071]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30oc02-15]
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Parts 32, 42, 51, and 64
[WC Docket No. 02-269, FCC 02-240]
Federal-State Joint Conference on Accounting Issues
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: In this document the Commission convenes a Federal-Station Joint Conference on Accounting Issues to provide a forum for an ongoing dialogue between the commission and the states in order to ensure that regulatory accounting data and related information filedby carriers are adequate, truthful, and thorough.
DATES: Effective October 30, 2002.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane Jackson, Associate Bureau Chief, Wireline Competition Bureau, at (202) 418-1500.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The following is a synopsis of action taken by the Commission that was adopted on August 27, 2002, and released on September 5, 2002, by the Commission: Commissioner Copps issuing a statement.
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Introduction
In this Order, we convene a Federal-State Joint Conference on Accounting Issues to provide a forum for an ongoing dialogue between the Commission and the states in order to ensure that regulatory accounting data and related information filedby carriers are adequate, truthful, and thorough. The Federal-State Joint Conference on Accounting Issues will further this goal by facilitating cooperative federal and state review of regulatory accounting and related reporting requirements in order to determine their adequacy and effectiveness in the current market and make recommendations for improvements.
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Background
Section 11 of the Communications Act requires that the Commission review every two years those regulations that are ``no longer necessary in the public interest as the result of meaningful economic competition between providers of telecommunications service.'' To this end, in the Phase II Accounting Reform proceeding, the Commission undertook its second comprehensive, biennial review of its Part 32 accounting rules and Automated Reporting Management Information System (ARMIS) reporting requirements. As part of this review, the Commission adopted changes to its accounting and related reporting rules that were intended to ``reflect a sharpened focus on ongoing regulatory needs in the areas of competition and universal service[,]'' and minimize the regulatory burdens and distortions that could undermine the development of new technology. In addition, in a related Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission sought comment on certain accounting and related reporting requirements it identified for future reform.
The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) recently adopted a resolution concerning regulatory accounting rules and reporting requirements. Among other things, the NARUC resolution requests that the Commission establish a Federal-State Joint Conference ``to review regulatory accounting and reporting safeguards to determine their adequacy and effectiveness in current markets and make recommendations as to future accounting and reporting changes.
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Establishment of the Joint Conference
Accordingly, in order to further the development of improved regulatory accounting and reporting requirements and ensure that data filedby carriers are adequate, truthful, and thorough, we now convene a Federal-State Joint Conference on Accounting Issues (Joint Conference or Conference) pursuant to section 410(b) of the Communications Act. Section 410(b) provides that:
[T]he Commission may confer with any State commission having regulatory jurisdiction with respect to carriers regarding the relationship between rate structures, accounts, charges, practices, classifications, and regulations of carriers subject to the jurisdiction of such State commission and of the Commission.
We find that the public interest will be furthered by convening an ongoing conference on regulatory accounting safeguards pursuant to this provision. The Joint Conference will provide a focused means by which we and interested state commissions may conduct an open dialogue, collect and exchange information, and consider initiatives that will improve the collection of adequate, truthful, and thorough accounting data for regulatory purposes. We expect the Conference will facilitate the continuing review of federal and state accounting and related reporting requirements.
Section 410(b) and the Commission's policies and procedures for implementing 410(b) Joint Conferences are flexible and will permit the Conference to begin rapidly an open dialogue regarding how best to make recommendations for improvements to existing regulatory accounting and related reporting requirements. Specifically, section 410(b) and our policies state that this Commission may confer with any State commission regarding matters that relate to the regulation of public utilities subject to the jurisdiction of either commission.
We further conclude that the Conference shall be chaired by the Chairman of this Commission or his designee. Any or all of the other Federal commissioners may participate in the Conference, as may representatives from up to five State commissions, whom we will invite following recommendations from NARUC. Meetings will be called by the Conference Chairman, who may establish a regular schedule for meetings after consultations with Conference members. In addition, the Conference at any point may decide to include any of its findings and recommendations in a written report to this Commission. Finally, the Commission shall revisit the need for and utility of the Joint Conference in two years time.
The activities of the Joint Conference will include the reexamination of federal and state regulatory accounting and related reporting requirements. The Joint Conference will have a broad mandate to evaluate accounting requirements that state and federal regulators need to carry out their responsibilities. This analysis could include, among other things, an evaluation of current regulatory accounting rules, consideration of the scope of these rules, and an examination of any additions to or eliminations of accounting requirements. The Conference may utilize existing federal and state data collection procedures and conduct hearings to collect information necessary to further the development of improved regulatory accounting and related reporting requirements and ensure that data filedby carriers are adequate, truthful, and thorough. Moreover, we direct the Conference specifically to consider the impact of its recommendations on local exchange carriers with fewer than 2 percent of the Nation's subscriber lines installed in the aggregate nationwide. The activities of the Joint Conference, however, will not limit the ability of this Commission to take separate, independent action concerning regulatory accounting and related reporting requirements.
Finally, because section 410(b) provides a flexible vehicle for state-federal cooperation, we anticipate that, as appropriate, the Joint Conference will undertake efforts and utilize tools in addition to those discussed herein. We also expect that the Conference will seek the cooperation of private sector representatives, where necessary and appropriate, to assist in identifying appropriate improvements. In sum, it is our expectation that the cooperative efforts of the Conference will help restore public confidence in the telecommunications industry by improving regulatory accounting and
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related reporting requirements and ensuring that data filedby carriers are adequate, truthful, and thorough.
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Ordering Clauses
Pursuant to section 410(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C. 410(b), that the Federal-State Joint Conference on Accounting Issues be convened.
Pursuant to section 410(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C. 410(b), that the Federal-State Joint Conference shall be chaired by the Honorable Michael K. Powell or his designee and shall be comprised of any or all of the other Federal commissioners and representatives from up to five State commissions, who shall be recommended by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.
List of Subjects in 47 CFR Parts 32, 42, 51, and 64
Communications common carriers, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Telephone, Uniform System of Accounts.
Federal Communications Commission. Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-27569Filed10-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
