6. Reduction of Public Review and Comment

The Public Utilities Code and our Rules of Practice and Procedure generally require that draft decisions be circulated to the public for review and comment 30 days prior to the Commission's vote.³ On the other hand, the Act requires that the Commission reach its decisions to approve or reject an arbitrated agreement within 30 days after submission by the parties.⁴ This establishes a conflict.

However, Rule 77.7(f)(5) provides that we may reduce or waive the period for public review and comment "for a decision under the state arbitration provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996." In this case, we reduced the comment period. On July 12, 2006, comments on the draft decision were filed and served by SBC-CA. On July 17, 2006, reply comments on the draft decision were filed and served by SBC-CA and MCIm. We have carefully considered the comments and replies, along with the entire record, and make limited changes as necessary herein.

³ See Pub. Util. Code § 311(g)(1) and Rule 77.7 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure.

⁴ 47 U.S.C. Section 252(e)(4).