COM/DGX/hl2 Mailed 5/7/2007

Decision 07-05-030 May 3, 2007

BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Order Instituting Rulemaking Into Implementation of Federal Communications Commission Report and Order 04-87, as it Affects the Universal Lifeline Telephone Service Program.

Rulemaking 04-12-001 (Filed December 2, 2004)

DECISION ADOPTING STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE THE CALIFORNIA LIFELINE CERTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION PROCESSES,
AND REINSTATING PORTIONS OF GENERAL ORDER 153

I. Summary

This decision adopts modifications to General Order (GO) 153 to improve the California LifeLine certification and verification processes. It also reinstates portions of GO 153 relating to the annual LifeLine verification process that were suspended by Assigned Commissioner Ruling (ACR) on November 1, 2006. The Commission subsequently ratified that ACR in Decision (D.) 06-11-017. Finally, we approve strategies (beyond GO 153) to improve the LifeLine process, including commencement of a Phase II of this docket to address longer-term solutions and delegate authorization to the assigned Commissioner to take the steps necessary, working with staff, to ensure full implementation of the directives in this decision.