20200320Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO:COMMISSIONER KJELLANDER
COMMISSION RAPER
COMMISSIONER ANDERSON
COMMISSION SECRETARY
LEGAL
WORKING FILE
FROM: DANIEL KLEIN
DATE: MARCH 17,2020
RE:2Ol9IDAHO TELEPHONE SERVICE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ANNUAL
REPORT; CASE NO. GNR-T-20-10.
BACKGROUND
Each year the Administrator of the Idaho Telecommunications Service Assistance Program
(fTSAP) files a report detailing the activities and status of the program during the previous year and
submits a recommended budget for the next year. ITSAP provides eligible recipients with a
reduction in the cost of residential basic local exchange telephone service. Funds for the progranl
are raised through a surcharge on all end-user business, residential. and wireless access service
lines not receiving the ITSAP credit. The Commission determines the uniform statewide monthly
surcharge and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare administers the program and grants
limited federal "lifeline" contributions to ldaho's low-income customers. Idaho Code $ 56-901(l).
Idaho telephone companies provide assistance in the form ofa monthly discount of $2.50 to
eligible subscribers . Idaho Code $ 56-902( I ). To be eligible for the ITSAP assistance, the
applicant must be the head of a household and meet narrowly targeted eligibility criteria based
solely on income or factors established by the Department of Health and Welfare . ldaho Code
$ 56-903( I ). To be eligible to receive reimbursement fbr providing low-income benefits (ITSAP
and the federal Lifeline assistance), a company must be designated as an eligible
telecommunications carrier (lll"C) by a state commission. 47 C.F.R. g 54.201 (a)( I ).
THE 2OI9 ANNUAL REPORT
In the annualreport filed on March 12.2020, thc ITSAP Administrator. Alyson Anderson,
reported a decrease in wireline access lines ( I 2oh), a decreasc in wireless lines (2%), and a
DECISION MEMORANDUM MARCH 17,2020
significant decrease in the number of ITSAP recipients (18%) from the previous year. The gross
surcharge revenue for the year was reported at $0.
The average number of wireline access lines per month reported to the Administrator was
215,906 compared to 244,988 in 2018, and the average number of wireless access lines per month
was 304,298 compared to 310,248 in 2018. Overall, there was a decrease of approximately 35,032
in the total number of average monthly lines subject to the ITSAP surcharge (520,204lines per
month compared to 555,236 in 2018). These numbers are inflated due to a lack of wireless
providers reporting line counts due to the surcharge suspension.
The average number of reported ITSAP recipients per month in2019 (1,471) decreased by
l8% from 2018 (l ,787). Telecommunications companies received $44,143 in disbursements for
ITSAP credits paid to eligible recipients compared to $56,822 in 2018. Disbursements for
company administrative costs were $l 1,394, a decrease from 2018 ($12,635).
The Administrator's fees and expenses were $5,093 for the year. The fund's cash balance
at the end of the year was reported at $ I , I 67,999.17 .
2OI9 BUDGET AND TRENDS
The ITSAP Administrator projects the funding requirements for 2020 will continue to
decrease. The Administrator estimates that the ITSAP reimbursements to the companies at
approximately $46,720. The ITSAP Administrator expenses are projected to be $9,400.
To establish the 2020 budget, the Administrator estimates that the number of access lines
subject to the surcharge will be approximately 445,466 per month and the average number of
ITSAP recipients will decrease to approximately 1557 per month. Based on this data,
Ms. Anderson projects the funding requirement for 2020 will be approximately $67,397, and the
end-of-year balance is expected to be about $l,l 00,602.
ADMINISTRATOR'S 2OI9 FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS
Ms. Anderson states that there w'as another significant drop in credit recipients during 2019.
The Administrator recommends that the surcharge rate continue to be suspended an additional year,
but that all companies must report access lines to her during this period. The Administrator affirms
that the fund balance will be more than sufficient to reimburse companies for assistance credits
provided. as well as maintain an adequate balance for unexpected occurrences. The estimated
balance for the end-of-year 2020 is projected to be $1,100,602.
DECISION MEMORANDUM -2-MARCH 17,2O2O
STAFF ANALYSIS AND FUNDING RECOMMENDATION
Staffhas reviewed the 2019 annual report, the proposed2020 budget. and the funding
recommendation. Staffagrees with the Administrator's assessment and suppotu the
Administralor's recommendation to continue suspending the surcharge rates for all wireline and
wireless access lines tbr another year. Staffbelieves the fund balance will be sufficient to meet the
2020 expenses as well as provide for any unforeseen changes to the number of ITSAP recipients.
Thus, Staffrecommends that the Commission approve the Adminisrator's 2020 budget and
approve the recommendation to suspend the surcharge rates for calendar year 2020. Staffalso
recommends the Commission direct all companies to report access line counts to the administrator
while the surcharge is suspended.
COMMISSION DECISION
l. Does the Commission wish to accept the 2019 annual report and adopt the
Administrator's 2020 budget?
2. Does the Commission wish to adopt the Administrator's recommendation to continue
suspending the ITSAP assessments for calendar year 2020?
3. Does the Commission wish to direct all companies to report access line counts to the
administrator while the surcharge is suspended?
7-/_
Daniel Klein
tldmcmos/2O19 l'l'SAP Annual Rcport dcc menro
DECISION MEMORANDUM 3 MARCH I7,2O2O