8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Closed Session: States Issues Updates & Planning

State Reverse Pre-emption

Federal law allows States that choose to do so to regulate pole attachments and rights-of-way access (the “reverse preemption”).  Regulating attachments and rights-of-way access are critical in deploying new technology and facilities needed to provide mobile service, 4G today, and 5G in the near future. The attachment of these new technologies and facilities, in turn, raises issues concerning information on local topography and conditions, public policy, health impacts, and the economics of deployments. The panelists will discuss reverse preemption and the policies and solutions needed to address the concerns being raised.

Moderator: Teresa Ferguson, Colorado

Panelists: 

Chris Witteman, California

Joe Tiernan, Massachusetts

David C. Bergmann, Principal, Telecom Policy Consulting for Consumers

Russell Frisby, Energy and Telecommunications Attorney, Stinson Leonard Street

Paul Glist, Partner, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Lifeline ETCs – What are the states doing/requested to do/should be doing? (e.g. outreach, enforcement)  

A recent FCC Order replaced State designation of Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) designation, a function that the States perform under Section 214 of federal law which is required before a carrier can receive federal support, with a novel FCC designation for Broadband Lifeline Providers. While that matter was under appeal, the FCC requested the court to remand the matter back to the FCC. The Court agreed and the FCC is currently considering the FCC designation process. In the meantime, however, the Broadband Lifeline program has continued to roll out in the States. This ongoing implementation has given rise to concerns with consumer awareness and education about these new programs and rules, how to verify what consumers are eligible under the new rules, and what agency will address the inevitable consumer complaints about quality of service as they arise. The panelists will examine what is underway at the FCC and what the states are or could be doing to address these issues.

Moderator: Greg Doyle, Minnesota

Panelists:   

Cary Hinton, District of Columbia

David C. Bergmann, Principal, Telecom Policy Consulting for Consumers

Danielle Frappier, Partner, Chair, Communications Practice, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP 

Geoffrey Why, Counsel, Verrill Dana LLP

3:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Closed Session

Working Lunch for Committee and Staff Subcommittee members only

Welcome and Introductions

Hon. John (Butch) Howard, Subcommittee Chair, South Carolina

ICER and Other Items of Interest

Hon. Jack Betkoski, III: President, NARUC; Vice Chairman, Connecticut

NRRI Update

Dr. Rajnish Barua, Acting Director, NRRI

University Annual Report - Wisconin Public Utility Institute (WPUI)

Lori Sakk, Director, WPUI

Update on Subcommittee Projects

• 2018 Summer Internships (NARUC)
• New Commissioner Regulatory Orientation
• Other

Erin Hammel, Director, International Programs, NARUC

Review of Applications for Support

• Applications for Consideration

Erin Hammel, Director, International Programs, NARUC

Scholarships Report

Sue Daly, Chair, Staff Subcommittee on Education and Research

Certificate of Continuing Regulatory Education (CCRE) Update

Dr. Jan Beecher, Director, Institute of Public Utilities, MSU