gnrt9917.wsch.doc

WELDON B. STUTZMAN
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
PO BOX 83720
BOISE, IDAHO 83720-0074
[phone]
IDAHO BAR NO. 3283

Street Address for Express Mail:
472 W. WASHINGTON
BOISE, IDAHO 83702-5983

Attorney for the Commission Staff

BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF HJN TELECOM, INC. FOR A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY TO PROVIDE LOCAL EXCHANGE TELECOMUNICATIONS SERVICES. )
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CASE NO. GNR-T-99-17

COMMENTS OF THE COMMISSION STAFF
COMES NOW the Staff of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, by and through its Attorney of record, Weldon B. Stutzman, Deputy Attorney General, in response to Order
No. 28237, the Notice of Application and Notice of Modified Procedure in Case
No. GNR-T-99-17 issued on December 21, 1999, submits the following comments.

BACKGROUND
On August 23, 1999, HJN Telecom, Inc. (HJN) filed an Application with this Commission for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity in compliance with Commission Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.111 and Procedural Order No. 26665. The Application states that HJN proposes to provide service by reselling the local exchange services provided by GTE Northwest and US WEST. HJN was incorporated in the state of Georgia on June 15, 1998.
On August 27, 1999, Commission Staff sent HJN a letter outlining revisions that were necessary in order to comply with the Commission's Consumer Rules. On September 15, 1999, the Company's consultant filed a revised filing for the wrong company and then corrected this filing on November 5, 1999.
HJN also has a Title 62 Company that was authorized to provide interexchange services in Idaho on July 16, 1998. During Staff's analysis it was discovered that the long distance carrier had not been reporting to the Idaho Universal Service Fund (USF) Administrator, the TRS Administrator or paid its regulatory fees as required by IDAPA 31.42.01.301 and 302. Staff notified the Company's consultant of this deficiency in its August 27,1999, letter and again in a letter on November 2, 1999. On November 17, 1999, Staff received written confirmation of reports sent to the USF and TRS Administrators. The Company paid its regulatory fees plus a late assessment on November 9, 1999.

DISCUSSION
Staff has reviewed HJN's Application and Illustrative Tariff and believes that it is in compliance with Commission Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.111 and Procedural Order
No. 26665. Staff is concerned that the Company has been remiss and non-responsive with its reporting requirements to the USF and TRS Administrator and was delinquent in its payment of regulatory fees to the Commission. Staff believes that it is the Company's responsibility to remain current with all regulatory requirements.

OTHER COMMENTS RECEIVED
There were no other comments filed in this case.

Staff RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends granting a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to HJN Telecom, Inc., with a reminder that HJN must provide prompt reports and payments to the USF and TRS Administrator as well as the Commission for annual regulatory fees.

Dated at Boise, Idaho, this day of January 2000.

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Weldon B. Stutzman
Deputy Attorney General

Technical Staff: Carolee Hall

WS:CH:gdk:i/umisc/comments/gnrt9917.wsch
STAFF COMMENTS 1 JANUARY 11, 2000