20240730MIN.pdf

IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL
July 30, 2024—1:30 p.m.
In attendance was Commissioner Eric Anderson and Commissioner John R. Hammond, Jr. Commissioner
Lodge participated via phone. Commissioner Anderson called the meeting to order.
The first order of business was the APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING
on July 23',2024.The Commission voted unanimously to approve the minutes as written.
The next order of business was CONSENT AGENDA:
2. Action Item: Michael Duval's July 30, 2024, Decision Memorandum re: In the Matter of
TruConnect Communications,Inc.'s Application for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications
Carrier; Case No.TCC-T 24-01.
Michael Duval presented the decision memorandum regarding TruConnect Communications, Inc's
application for ETC designation. Mr. Duval informed the commission that staff recommends denying the
ETC status on the grounds that the company did not add any facilities that would enhance its ability to
operate in an emergency, the company used the facilities of other carriers, and adding another ETC
designation in this area would not meet public interest requirements. However, the company argued that it
is permissible to use underlying carriers'facilities in an emergency and certain public interest requirements
cited by staff were nonmandatory.
Staff reviewed and analyzed the requirements and maintained their recommendation for denial. Due to the
rarity of ETC denials, staff requested an additional round of comments to better equip the Commission for
a final decision. Staff's Proposed deadlines were August 16', 2024, for Staff comments and August 30''',
2024 for Company reply comments.
Commissioner Hammond sough clarification on whether the requirements sited by staff for ETC status
were mandatory. Mr. Duval explained that Staff believed that a more robust presentation of facts would
show the company falls short of the standard.
Commissioner Hammond made a motion for the commission to issue a notice of supplemental deadlines of
August 16'k',2024 for staff's supplemental comments and August 30',2024 for the company's supplemental
reply comments.
A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.

Commissioner Anderson stated there was no further business before the Commission and the meeting was
adjourned.
I jj��Q� 8/6/2024
COMMAS S S TARY DATE OF APPROVAL