i_911tf_2016a_2016-10-25t09:06:58z2 Hearing Summary

Date: 10/25/2016

09:48 AM -- Consumer Panel



Mr. Doug Dean, Director, Public Utilities Commission (PUC) within the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA); Ms. Kelli Fritts, representing AARP; and Ms. Cindy Schonhaut, Director, Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) within DORA, came to the table. Mr. Dean introduced himself to the task force, and explained recent rulemaking by the PUC. He also discussed funding issues.



Ms. Fritts introduced herself to the task force and provided an overview of AARP, specifically providing information on AARP's position on 911 services and telecommunications. She distributed information to the committee (Attachment C). She spoke about prior legislation concerning 911 service oversight, and 911 outages.



161025 AttachC.pdf



Ms. Schonhaut, introduced herself, and explained the OCC's role in oversight of 911 services, stating that recent legislation removed authority to handle complaints regarding 911 services from the OCC.





10:03 AM



The panelists responded to questions from the task force. The panel discussed the potential for statewide oversight of 911 services, with Mr. Dean stating that he thought the local entities would be reluctant to agree to such a system. In response to a question, Mr. Dean discussed recent law suits by entities on the western slope of the state.



Senator Martinez Humenik was recognized by the chair for a question. In response to the question, Ms. Fritts discussed rates of seniors moving from wireless phones and not using landlines. Senator Martinez Humenik commented on landline telephone reliability.



Discussion turned to 911 service outages. Senator Heath commented. Mr. Dean stated reasons that outages occur, and that the best way to limit outages is network diversity. He explained the PUC rulemaking process and authority. He also stated that reporting requirements help manage outages.





10:16 AM



Senator Aguilar asked a question about the role of the OCC. Ms. Schonhaut stated that when the OCC receives a complaint related to 911 service, they refer the complainant to the appropriate contact at the PUC. Consequently, they do not hear many complaints about 911 because OCC no longer has authority relating to 911 service. Ms. Fritts stated that the AARP continues to refer people to the OCC. Mr. Dean stated that OCC, when they had telecom authority, would still refer complainants to the PUC, so there is no change for the individual consumer complainant.



In response to a question, Mr. Dean stated that the PUC would respect the decisions and authority of the legislature, but that he could not predict the PUC's response to any legislative action.



The task force asked about outage reporting requirements. Mr. Dean discussed existing reporting requirements, including a discussion of the entities that are required to formally report, and how the PUC learns of outages. Ms. Fritts stated that the PUC should be the authority where outages should be reported, and that it was better to have outages reported to a local authority instead of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).





10:25 AM



In response to a question about potential statewide centralized oversight, Mr. Dean stated that moving oversight away from the PUC would not be easy. He also discussed the consequences of moving oversight away from the PUC. Ms. Fritts stated that the PUC was the best agency to oversee 911 service. They continued to discuss oversight and reporting requirements, as well as the potential consequences of outages.



The task force and panelists discussed the role of the service providers in repairing and reporting outages. Ms. Schonhaut stated that the OCC has no position on the role of telecom providers. Ms. Fritts stated that increased reporting would help public safety personnel respond to areas where 911 outages may occur. Mr. Dean stated that people need to call 811 to identify lines prior to digging and that some agency should have regulatory authority over excavators. He also stated that network resiliency should be required, regardless of whether oversight or regulatory authority rests with the PUC or another agency.



The chair recognized Representative Lontine for a question. In response, Mr. Dean stated that network redundancy and resiliency could be achieved though PUC rulemaking or a bill requiring fail-safe networks.



Senator Martinez Humenik was recognized by the chair for comment. Mr. Dean responded.