NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE UTILITY CONSUMER ADVOCATES

RESOLUTION 2004-06

RESOLUTION:  Authorizing NASUCA to support the renewal of the Federal Communications Commission Consumer Advisory Committee

WHEREAS, the Commission, pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, rechartered the Consumer Advisory Committee (“Committee”) to identify consumer issues and facilitate consumer participation in all proceedings before the Commission; and

WHEREAS, the Committee charter requires input from Committee members in Commission’s consideration to renew the Committee for another two year period; and

WHEREAS, the Committee has been instrumental in creating a partnership between and opening a cohesive dialogue with the FCC and state and local consumer advocate organizations and groups; and

WHEREAS, the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (“NASUCA”) has been a key participant in initiating and facilitating communications between the Committee working groups and FCC staff on the issues identified below; and

WHEREAS, the Committee has discussed policies and/or submitted recommendations regarding consumer issues within the jurisdiction of the Commission including, but not limited to:

  • Truth-in-billing
  • Telecommunications Relay Services
  • Section 508 Web access compliance of the EDOCS and ECFS search engines
  • Informal and formal consumer complaint process and reports
  • Wireless local number portability
  • The state of local competition post-USTA II
  • Homeland Security and persons with disabilities
  • Broadband regulation and competition
  • Wireless Service Quality; and

WHEREAS, the development of intra and inter-modal competition and services further the need for consumer protection measures and a forum in which consumers can be heard and resolve complaints;

WHEREAS, the Committee has made progress on several issues, but needs additional time to further discuss and develop recommendations on matters pending (e.g., VoIP and Broadband over power lines) before the FCC which directly impact the development of competition and the consumers’ ability to choose among an array of affordable, high quality communication services;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that NASUCA supports initiatives that raise the national public awareness, permit a full debate of telecommunications issues and promote consumer participation in proceedings before the Commission.

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NASUCA Executive Committee, the NASUCA Consumer Protection Committee and the NASUCA Telecommunications Committee are authorized to take all steps consistent with this Resolution.

Submitted by: NASUCA Telecommunications Committee

Date:  November 16, 2004

Annual NASUCA Conference, Nashville, TN

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