PSC 160.09(9) (9) Full ETCs may not be reimbursed by the universal service fund for the value of credits issued to customers receiving essential telecommunications service under a contract if the contract has a duration of greater than one year. The commission may grant waivers of this subsection by order. This subsection does not apply to rural line extension contracts entered into before January 1, 1996.

PSC 160.09 History History: Cr. Register, April, 1996, No. 484, eff. 5-1-96; am. (1), (8) and (9), r. (2) (a), (b), (3) (f), (h) and (6), renum. (2) (c) to be (2) and am. (2), renum. (3) (a) to (e) to be (4) (a) to (e) and am. (4) (a) to (e), renum. (3) (g) to (4) (f) and am. (4) (f), renum. (3) (i) and (5) to be (4) (g) and (6), renum. (4) to be (5) and am. (5), renum. (8) to be (9) and am. (9), cr. (3), Register, April, 2000, No. 532, eff. 5-1-00; CR 13-068: renum. (1) to (1g) and am., cr. (1), (1r), am. (2), r. and recr. (3), am. (4) to (7), r. (8), am. (9) Register January 2016 No. 721, eff. 2-1-16; correction in (3) (d) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register December 2018 No. 756.

PSC 160.092 PSC 160.092 Alternative universal service protection plans.

PSC 160.092(1) (1) After notice and opportunity for hearing the commission may, by order, implement one or more of the following plans:

PSC 160.092(1)(a) (a) An alternative to the high rate assistance credit mechanism in s. PSC 160.09.

PSC 160.092(1)(b) (b) A measure to ensure provision of intralata and interlata essential services.

PSC 160.092(1)(c) (c) A measure approved by the commission as necessary to protect universal service and ensure provision of services.

PSC 160.092(2) (2) Alternative plans under this section shall be implemented on an experimental basis. These plans shall be reviewed within 3 years of inception and shall terminate within 5 years of inception, unless made permanent by commission order after notice and an opportunity for hearing.

PSC 160.092(3) (3) Alternative plans under this section may make use of cost studies, bidding, auctions, defined service territories or other mechanisms to protect universal service. The commission may, by order, authorize payment of universal service fund monies as part of an alternative plan.

PSC 160.092 History History: Cr. Register, April, 1996, No. 484, eff. 5-1-96; CR 13-068: renum. (1) to (1) (a) and am., cr. (1) (intro.), (b), (c), am. (2), (3), r. (4) Register January 2016 No. 721, eff. 2-1-16; corrections in (2) made under ss. 13.92 (4) (b) 7. and 35.17, Stats., Register January 2016 No. 721.

PSC 160.115 PSC 160.115 Medical telecommunications equipment program.

PSC 160.115(1) (1) For purposes of this section:

PSC 160.115(1)(a) (a) “Initial application” means the first application for universal service fund support under this section that an applicant files in a state fiscal year.

PSC 160.115(1)(b) (b) “Non-profit medical clinic” includes any clinic or hospital that meets all of the following:

PSC 160.115(1)(b)1. 1. Is a non-profit organization governed by a board of directors.

PSC 160.115(1)(b)2. 2. Serves federally designated health professional shortage areas as defined in 42 USC 254e (a) (1), medically underserved areas, or medically underserved populations.

PSC 160.115(1)(b)3. 3. Does one or both of the following:

PSC 160.115(1)(b)3.a. a. Provides services to all patients regardless of insurance status.

PSC 160.115(1)(b)3.b. b. Uses a sliding fee scale for uninsured patients based on income status.

PSC 160.115(1)(c) (c) “Public health agency” includes the department of health services, any local health department as defined in s. 250.01 (4), Stats., and any health care facility or program operated by a tribe or tribal organization under the Indian Self-Determination Act (25 USC 450f et seq.)

PSC 160.115(2) (2) The commission may grant funding to non-profit medical clinics and public health agencies for the purchase of telecommunications equipment for any of the following purposes:

PSC 160.115(2)(a) (a) To promote technologically advanced medical services.

PSC 160.115(2)(b) (b) To directly or indirectly enhance access to medical care in rural or underserved areas of the state, or both.

PSC 160.115(2)(c) (c) To directly or indirectly enhance access to medical care by underserved populations or persons with disabilities in the state, or both.

PSC 160.115(3) (3) The commission may grant a maximum of $500,000 in universal service fund support granted under this section per state fiscal year, or $1,000,000 per state biennium.

PSC 160.115(4) (4) 

PSC 160.115(4)(a) (a) An applicant for universal service fund support under this section may not, in its application, request disbursement of support for a time period longer than that specified in the solicitation for grant applications.

PSC 160.115(4)(b) (b) All applications shall become public documents upon filing.

PSC 160.115(5) (5) An applicant for funding shall include all of the following in its application: