To adopt rules to administer the Lifeline service program.

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
Departmental

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
25-4.0665: Lifeline Service
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To adopt rules to administer the Lifeline service program.
SUMMARY: : Requires eligible telecommunications carriers to provide notice of the impending termination of Lifeline service; sets forth the information that must be contained in that notice; and sets forth a procedure for reinstating Lifeline service to those subscribers who provide proof of continued eligibility for Lifeline service subsequent to the termination of the Lifeline service.
SUMMARY OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: The SERC concluded that eligible telecommunications carriers should benefit because the companies will have clear and concise direction on the implementation of the Lifeline program; subscribers will likely experience less difficulty and delay in the Lifeline program; and it is not anticipated that the proposed rule will cause additional expense to the Commission, any other agency, or small businesses, cities, or counties.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 350.127(2), 364.10(3)(j) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 364.01(4)(a), 364.10, 364.105 FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Samantha Cibula, Florida Public Service Commission, 2540 Shumard Oak Blvd., Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0862, [phone]

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

25-4.0665 Lifeline Service.

(1) An eligible telecommunications carrier must provide 60 days written notice prior to the termination of Lifeline service. The notice of pending termination shall contain the telephone number at which the subscriber can obtain information about the subscriber’s Lifeline service from the eligible telecommunications carrier. The notice shall also inform the subscriber of the availability, pursuant to Section 364.105, F.S., of discounted residential basic local telecommunications service.

(2) If a subscriber’s Lifeline service is terminated and the subscriber subsequently presents proof of Lifeline eligibility, the eligible telecommunications carrier shall reinstate the subscriber’s Lifeline service as soon as practicable, but no later than 60 days following receipt of proof of eligibility. Irrespective of the date on which the eligible telecommunications carrier reinstates the subscriber’s Lifeline service, the subscriber’s bill shall be credited for Lifeline service as of the date the eligible telecommunications carrier received the proof of continued Lifeline eligibility.

Specific Authority 350.127(2), 364.10(3)(j) FS. Law Implemented 364.01(4)(a), 364.10, 364.105 FS. History–New________.

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Curtis Williams
NAME OF SUPERVISOR OR PERSON WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Florida Public Service Commission
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: October 3, 2006
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: Vol. 32, No. 14, April 7, 2006