2. Background

In D.92-04-066, the Commission authorized the DDTP to pay per diem compensation of $100 to the non-utility, non-government members of the DDTP's three committees: the DDTPAC, the California Relay Service Advisory Committee (CRSAC), and the Equipment Program Advisory Committee (EPAC). Pursuant to D.92-04-066, the DDTPAC submitted guidelines for administering per diem compensation that were adopted by the Commission in Resolution T-15048, issued on September 2, 1992. Among other things, the guidelines allow a maximum monthly per diem of $500 per committee member.

On October 21, 1997, the DDTPAC filed a petition to modify D.92-04-066 ("petition"). In its petition, the DDTPAC asks the Commission to (1) increase the amount of per diem from $100 per day to $300 per day, and (2) increase the monthly limit for per diem from $500 to $3,000. Notice of the petition appeared in the Commission's Daily Calendar on October 27, 1997. There were no responses to the petition.

The DDTPAC states that it is reasonable to increase per diem from $100 to $300 because inflation has eroded the value of the $100 per diem authorized by D.92-04-066. The DDTPAC also notes that the Commission has established a $300 per diem for many other boards and committees. The DDTPAC believes that the members of the DDTP's three committees deserve the same per diem as the members of other boards and committees.

The DDTPAC states that it is reasonable to increase the monthly limit on per diem from $500 to $3,000 for two reasons. First, the DDTP's three committees often meet more than five times a month. Thus, even with the current $100 per diem, the $500 monthly limit needs to be increased. Second, once the Commission increases the per diem to $300, there needs to be a corresponding increase in the monthly limit.