20070312min.doc

IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

MINUTES OF DECISION MEETING

March 12, 2007 – 1:30 P.M.

In attendance were Commissioners Paul Kjellander, Marsha Smith and Mack Redford.

Commissioner Kjellander called the meeting to order. The first order of business was approval of MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING on March 5, 2007. Commissioner Kjellander moved for approval of the minutes. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.

The second order of business was approval of the CONSENT AGENDA, items 2 – 5. There was no discussion. Commissioner Kjellander moved for approval of the Consent Agenda. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.

The next order of business was MATTERS IN PROGRESS:

Grace Seaman’s March 9, 2007 Decision Memorandum re: 2006 Telecommunications Relay Service Annual Report.

Ms. Seaman reviewed her Decision Memo. She noted that Mr. Robert Dunbar, Idaho’s Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Administrator, was present to answer any questions about the report. Commissioner Kjellander asked Mr. Dunbar to introduce himself to our new commissioner, Mack Redford, and explain the TRS fund to him.

Mr. Dunbar provided an overview of the TRS program. Commissioner Kjellander asked Mr. Dunbar how soon state commissions might be asked to assume payment for intrastate Internet services and how the Commission could express its opposition. Mr. Dunbar responded that every state has expressed opposition to transferring payment to the states. He said he thought the transfer will probably occur in 2008, although recently there had been a panic that it was going to occur right away. He noted that in order to fund the internet side of the TRS service, the fund will need to be quadrupled. He said the FCC has claimed ownership of the internet and he didn’t see any need to transfer it to the states. Commissioner Kjellander asked Mr. Dunbar to keep the PUC informed on this issue.

Commissioner Kjellander made a motion to accept staff’s recommendation regarding the reduction in the TRS contribution levels. There was no further discussion. A vote was taken on the motion and it carried unanimously.

Commissioner Kjellander stated that the remaining agenda items 7 – 10 under the category of FULLY SUBMITTED MATTERS would be deliberated privately. He then adjourned the meeting.

DATED this ______ day of March, 2007.
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COMMISSION SECRETARY