860-016-0000
Definitions and Filing Dates

As used in Division 016 of the rules:

(1) "The Act" means the federal Communications Act of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

(2) "Arbitration" means the submission of a dispute for resolution by a neutral third party appointed by the Commission pursuant to Section 252(b) of the Act.

(3) "Commission" means the Public Utility Commission of Oregon.

(4) "Mediation" means a process in which a neutral third party assists negotiating parties to reach their own solution pursuant to Section 252(a)(2) of the Act.

(5) "Petitioner" means a person who has filed a petition for arbitration under the Act.

(6) "Respondent" means the party to a negotiation, which did not make the request for arbitration.

(7) Filing dates are calculated and enforced per OAR 860-001-0150.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183 & 756
Statutes/Other Implemented: 47 USC 252
History:
PUC 1-2015, f. & cert. ef. 3-3-15
PUC 6-2002, f. & cert. ef. 2-13-02
PUC 25-2001, f. & cert. ef 11-5-01
PUC 8-1998, f. & cert. ef. 4-8-98

860-016-0005
Waiver

Upon request or its own motion, the Commission may waive any of the Division 016 rules for good cause shown. A request for waiver must be made in writing, unless otherwise allowed by the Commission or Arbitrator.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 756.040
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 756.040
History:
PUC 6-2011, f. & cert. ef. 9-14-11

860-016-0010
Commission Policy

The policy of the Public Utility Commission of Oregon relating to mediation and arbitration under the Act is to facilitate the execution of interconnection agreements among telecommunications carriers. The Commission encourages and will assist parties to reach agreement on access to the telecommunications network, as well as the routing of and payment for interconnected calls. When the parties do not reach agreement among themselves, the Commission will arbitrate disputes so that interconnection agreements will be fair and will comply with the provisions of the Act.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 756
Statutes/Other Implemented: 47 USC 252
History:
PUC 8-1998, f. & cert. ef. 4-8-98

860-016-0015
Confidentiality and Inadmissibility of Mediation Communications

(1) The words and phrases used in this rule have the same meaning as given to them in ORS 36.110 and 36.234.

(2) Nothing in this rule affects any confidentiality created by other law. Nothing in this rule relieves a public body from complying with the Public Meetings Law, ORS 192.610 to 192.690. Whether or not the documents are confidential under this or other rules of the agency, mediation communications are exempt from disclosure under the Public Records Law to the extent provided in 192.410 to 192.505.

(3) This rule applies only to mediations in which the agency is a party or is mediating a dispute as to which the agency has regulatory authority. This rule does not apply when the agency is acting as the "mediator" in a matter in which the agency also is a party as defined in ORS 36.234.

(4) To the extent mediation communications would otherwise compromise negotiations under ORS 40.190 (OEC Rule 408), those mediation communications are not admissible as provided in ORS 40.190 (OEC Rule 408), notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in section (9) of this rule.

(5) Mediations Excluded. Sections (6) through (10) of this rule do not apply to:

(a) Mediation of workplace interpersonal disputes involving the interpersonal relationships between this agency's employees, officials, or employees and officials, unless a formal grievance under a labor contract, a tort claim notice, or a lawsuit has been filed; or

(b) Mediation in which the person acting as the mediator will also act as the administrative law judge in a contested case involving some or all of the same matters;

(c) Mediation in which the only parties are public bodies;

(d) Mediation involving two or more public bodies and a private party if the laws, rules, or policies governing mediation confidentiality for at least one of the public bodies provide that mediation communications in the mediation are not confidential; or

(e) Mediation involving 15 or more parties if the agency has designated that another mediation confidentiality rule adopted by the agency may apply to that mediation.

(6) Disclosures by Mediator. A mediator may not disclose or be compelled to disclose mediation communications in a mediation and, if disclosed, such communications may not be introduced into evidence in any subsequent administrative, judicial, or arbitration proceeding unless:

(a) All the parties to the mediation and the mediator agree in writing to the disclosure; or

(b) The mediation communication may be disclosed or introduced into evidence in a subsequent proceeding as provided in subsections (c) and (d), (j) through (l), or (o) and (p) of section (9) of this rule.

(7) Confidentiality and Inadmissibility of Mediation Communications. Except as provided in sections (8) and (9) of this rule, mediation communications are confidential and may not be disclosed to any other person; are not admissible in any subsequent administrative, judicial, or arbitration proceeding; and may not be disclosed during testimony in or during any discovery conducted as part of a subsequent proceeding, or introduced as evidence by the parties or the mediator in any subsequent proceeding.

(8) Written Agreement. Section (7) of this rule does not apply to a mediation unless the parties to the mediation agree in writing, as provided in this section, that the mediation communications in the mediation will be confidential and/or nondiscoverable and inadmissible. If the mediator is the employee of and acting on behalf of a state agency, the mediator or an authorized agency representative must also sign the agreement. The parties' agreement to participate in a confidential mediation must be in substantially the following form. This form may be used separately or incorporated into an "agreement to mediate."

Agreement to Participate in a Confidential Mediation

The agency and the parties to the mediation agree to participate in a mediation in which the mediation communications are confidential and/or nondiscoverable and inadmissible to the extent authorized by OAR 860-016-0015(7) and this agreement. This agreement relates to the following mediation:

(a) ___________________________________________

(Identify the mediation to which this agreement applies)

(b) To the extent authorized by OAR 860-016-0015(7), mediation communications in this mediation are: (check one or more)

__ confidential and may not be disclosed to any other person.

__ not admissible in any subsequent administrative proceeding and may not be disclosed during testimony in or during any discovery conducted as part of a subsequent administrative proceeding, or introduced as evidence by the parties or the mediator in any subsequent administrative proceeding.

__ not admissible in any subsequent administrative, judicial, or arbitration proceeding and may not be disclosed during testimony in, or during any discovery conducted as part of a subsequent administrative, judicial, or arbitration proceeding, or introduced as evidence by the parties or the mediator in any subsequent administrative, judicial, or arbitration proceeding.

(c) __________________________________________

Name of Agency

_____________________________________ Date_________

Signature of Agency's authorized representative (when agency is a party) or Agency employee acting as the mediator (when Agency is mediating the dispute)

(d) ________________________________________

Name of party to the mediation

_____________________________________ Date_________

Signature of party's authorized representative

(e) _______________________________________

Name of party to the mediation

_____________________________________ Date_________

Signature of party's authorized representative

(9) Exceptions to confidentiality and inadmissibility.

(a) Any statements, memoranda, work products, documents, and other materials, otherwise subject to discovery that were not prepared specifically for use in the mediation, are not confidential and may be disclosed or introduced into evidence in a subsequent proceeding.

(b) Any mediation communications that are public records, as defined in ORS 192.410(4), and were not specifically prepared for use in the mediation are not confidential and may be disclosed or introduced into evidence in a subsequent proceeding unless the substance of the communication is confidential or privileged under state or federal law.

(c) A mediation communication is not confidential and may be disclosed by any person receiving the communication to the extent that person reasonably believes that disclosing the communication is necessary to prevent the commission of a crime that is likely to result in death or bodily injury to any person. A mediation communication is not confidential and may be disclosed in a subsequent proceeding to the extent its disclosure may further the investigation or prosecution of a felony crime involving physical violence to a person.

(d) Any mediation communication related to the conduct of a licensed professional that is made to or in the presence of a person who, as a condition of his or her professional license, is obligated to report such communication by law or court rule is not confidential and may be disclosed to the extent necessary to make such a report.

(e) The parties to the mediation may agree in writing that all or part of the mediation communications are not confidential or that all or part of the mediation communications may be disclosed and may be introduced into evidence in a subsequent proceeding unless the substance of the communication is confidential, privileged, or otherwise prohibited from disclosure under state or federal law.

(f) A party to the mediation may disclose confidential mediation communications to a person if the party's communication with that person is privileged under ORS Chapter 40 or other provision of law. A party to the mediation may disclose confidential mediation communications to a person for the purpose of obtaining advice concerning the subject matter of the mediation, if all the parties agree.

(g) An employee of the agency may disclose confidential mediation communications to another agency employee so long as the disclosure is necessary to conduct authorized activities of the agency. An employee receiving a confidential mediation communication under this subsection is bound by the same confidentiality requirements as apply to the parties to the mediation.

(h) A written mediation communication may be disclosed or introduced as evidence in a subsequent proceeding at the discretion of the party who prepared the communication so long as the communication is not otherwise confidential under state or federal law and does not contain confidential information from the mediator or another party who does not agree to the disclosure.

(i) In any proceeding to enforce, modify, or set aside a mediation agreement, a party to the mediation may disclose mediation communications and such communications may be introduced as evidence to the extent necessary to prosecute or defend the matter. At the request of a party, the court may seal any part of the record of the proceeding to prevent further disclosure of mediation communications or agreements to persons other than the parties to the agreement.

(j) In an action for damages or other relief between a party to the mediation and a mediator or mediation program, mediation communications are not confidential and may be disclosed and may be introduced as evidence to the extent necessary to prosecute or defend the matter. At the request of a party, the court may seal any part of the record of the proceeding to prevent further disclosure of the mediation communications or agreements.

(k) When a mediation is conducted as part of the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement, the following mediation communications are not confidential and such communications may be introduced into evidence in a subsequent administrative, judicial, or arbitration proceeding:

(A) A request for mediation; or

(B) A communication from the Employment Relations Board Conciliation Service establishing the time and place of mediation; or

(C) A final offer submitted by the parties to the mediator pursuant to ORS 243.712; or

(D) A strike notice submitted to the Employment Relations Board.

(l) To the extent a mediation communication contains information the substance of which is required to be disclosed by Oregon statute, other than ORS 192.410 to 192.505, that portion of the communication may be disclosed as required by statute.

(m) Written mediation communications prepared by or for the agency or its attorney are not confidential and may be disclosed and may be introduced as evidence in any subsequent administrative, judicial, or arbitration proceeding to the extent the communication does not contain confidential information from the mediator or another party, except for those written mediation communications that are:

(A) Attorney-client privileged communications so long as they have been disclosed to no one other than the mediator in the course of the mediation or to persons as to whom disclosure of the communication would not waive the privilege; or

(B) Attorney work product prepared in anticipation of litigation or for trial; or

(C) Prepared exclusively for the mediator or in a caucus session and not given to another party in the mediation other than a state agency; or

(D) Prepared in response to the written request of the mediator for specific documents or information and given to another party in the mediation; or

(E) Settlement concepts or proposals, shared with the mediator or other parties.

(n) A mediation communication made to the agency may be disclosed and may be admitted into evidence to the extent the Commission determines that disclosure of the communication is necessary to prevent or mitigate a serious danger to the public's health or safety, and the communication is not otherwise confidential or privileged under state or federal law.

(o) The terms of any mediation agreement are not confidential and may be introduced as evidence in a subsequent proceeding, except to the extent the terms of the agreement are exempt from disclosure under ORS 192.410 to 192.505, a court has ordered the terms to be confidential under 17.095, or state or federal law requires the terms to be confidential.

(p) The mediator may report the disposition of a mediation to the agency at the conclusion of the mediation so long as the report does not disclose specific confidential mediation communications. The agency or the mediator may use or disclose confidential mediation communications for research, training, or educational purposes, subject to the provisions of ORS 36.232(4).

(10) When a mediation is subject to section (7) of this rule, the agency will provide to the mediator and all parties to the mediation a copy of this rule or a citation to the rule and an explanation of where a copy of the rule may be obtained. Violation of this provision does not waive confidentiality or inadmissibility.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 36.224
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 36.224, 36.228, 36.230, 36.232 & 756.060
History:
PUC 10-2003, f. & cert. ef. 6-10-03

860-016-0020
Agreements Arrived at Through Negotiation

(1) Upon receiving a request for interconnection, services, or network elements pursuant to Section 251 of the Act, the affected telecommunications carrier may negotiate and enter into a binding agreement with the requesting telecommunications carrier.

(2) The negotiating parties may ask a mediator outside the Commission to help them reach agreement. If they request the Commission to mediate, the Commission will use an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) or a member of the utility Staff to mediate. Only the negotiating parties and the mediator will participate in mediation sessions.

(3) After the parties reach agreement under Section 252(a) of the Act, they must file an application with the Commission seeking approval of the agreement, or for approval of an amendment to an approved agreement on file with the Commission. The application must include the negotiated agreement and a completed Carrier-to-Carrier Agreement Checklist. A copy of the checklist is available on the Commission's website. The parties may also include any other supporting information with their application. The application and checklist must be filed electronically as required in OAR 860-001-0170.

(4) The Commission will approve or reject the agreement within 90 days of filing, with written findings as to any deficiencies. Prior to rejecting the agreement, the Commission will notify the negotiating parties of its intended action and provide an opportunity for the carriers to respond. The grounds for rejection are that the agreement:

(a) Discriminates against a carrier not a party to the agreement; or

(b) Is not consistent with the public interest, convenience, and necessity. Applicable Commission policies will be a factor in public interest, convenience, and necessity determinations.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183 & 756
Statutes/Other Implemented: 47 USC 252
History:
PUC 1-2015, f. & cert. ef. 3-3-15
PUC 11-2006, f. & cert .ef. 12-15-06
PUC 2-2005, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-05
PUC 12-2004(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-31-04 thru 2-26-05
PUC 6-2002, f. & cert. ef. 2-13-02
PUC 25-2001, f. & cert. ef 11-5-01
PUC 8-1998, f. & cert. ef. 4-8-98

860-016-0021
Wholesale Promotions

(1) A carrier intending to offer a wholesale promotion that would modify the terms of a Carrier-to-Carrier Agreement must provide the Commission and other telecommunications carriers notice of the promotion at least 30 days prior to the effective date of the promotion. The notice to the Commission must include:

(a) A copy of a form contract, containing the terms and conditions of the promotional offering that would be submitted as an amendment to an existing Carrier-to-Carrier Agreement; and

(b) A description of the means used to notify other telecommunications carriers of the promotion.

(2) The offering carrier must file the notice with the Commission and must include a completed Carrier-to-Carrier Agreement Checklist, a copy of which is available on the Commission's website. The notice and checklist must be filed electronically as required in OAR 860-001-0170.

(3) The Commission will approve the form contract unless it finds that the contract, if filed as an amendment to an interconnection agreement, would be subject to rejection under OAR 860-016-0020(4).

(4) If another carrier accepts the promotional offering, the offering and accepting carriers must file, within 10 days of execution by the parties, an amendment to an existing Carrier-to-Carrier Agreement incorporating the exact terms and conditions of the approved amendment in the form contract. Any such filed amendment will be deemed effective upon the later of the Commission approval of the form contract or execution of the amendment by the parties.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183 & 756
Statutes/Other Implemented: 47 USC 252
History:
PUC 1-2015, f. & cert. ef. 3-3-15
PUC 11-2006, f. & cert .ef. 12-15-06
PUC 2-2005, f. & cert. ef. 2-11-05
PUC 12-2004(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-31-04 thru 2-26-05

860-016-0025
Adoption of Previously Approved Agreement or Statement of Generally Available Terms

(1) If a requesting telecommunications carrier decides to adopt an identical agreement or an identical individual arrangement contained in an agreement, pursuant to Section 252(i) of the Act and 47 CFR Section 51.809, with the exception of the adopting party's name and new effective date, previously approved by and on file with the Commission, or a Statement of Generally Available Terms approved by the Commission under OAR 860-016-0040, it must file notice of the adoption with the Commission. The notice must include a completed Carrier-to-Carrier Agreement Checklist.

(2) The notice documents must be filed electronically as required in OAR 860-001-0170.

(3) If the notice is filed jointly with the affected telecommunications carrier, the adoption becomes effective on the date filed.

(4) If the notice is filed unilaterally by the requesting telecommunications carrier, the requesting telecommunications carrier must simultaneously provide notice of the adoption to the affected carrier. The affected carrier may then file objections to the adoption within 21 calendar days of such notice. If no objections are filed, the adoption becomes effective on the 22nd day after filing.

(5) An affected carrier may object to an adoption on the following grounds:

(a) The costs of providing a particular interconnection, service, or element to the requesting telecommunications carrier are greater than the costs of providing it to the telecommunications carrier that originally negotiated the agreement;

(b) The provision of a particular interconnection, service, or element to the requesting carrier is not technically feasible;

(c) There is new federal or state law that requires modification of the agreement proposed to be adopted;

(d) The agreement proposed to be adopted has expired or been cancelled; or

(e) The proposed adoption is unlawful.

(6) If the affected carrier files objections, the requesting carrier may file a reply within 14 calendar days after the objections are filed. An assigned Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will schedule a conference within 5 business days after the reply is filed, to be held as soon thereafter as practicable. At the conference, the ALJ will determine whether the issues raised by the affected carrier's objection can resolved based on the pleadings and all supporting documentation, or whether further proceedings are necessary. If further proceedings are necessary, the ALJ will establish a schedule for resolving the dispute on an expedited basis. Pending resolution of the dispute, other provisions of the proposed adoption not contested by the affected carrier will become effective.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183 & 756
Statutes/Other Implemented: 47 USC 252
History:
PUC 1-2015, f. & cert. ef. 3-3-15
PUC 11-2006, f. & cert .ef. 12-15-06
PUC 6-2002, f. & cert. ef. 2-13-02
PUC 25-2001, f. & cert. ef 11-5-01

860-016-0030
Arbitration of Disputes

(1) Negotiating parties may engage the services of an outside arbitrator rather than file a petition with the Commission. If the negotiating parties petition the Commission to arbitrate their dispute, the Commission will use an ALJ as arbitrator unless workload constraints necessitate the use of an outside arbitrator.

(2) A petition for arbitration must contain:

(a) Identification of the parties’ representatives, including contact information with electronic mail addresses;

(b) A statement of all unresolved issues;

(c) A description of each party's position on the unresolved issues;

(d) A proposed agreement addressing all issues, including those on which the parties have reached agreement and those that are in dispute. Wherever possible, the petitioner should rely on the fundamental organization of clauses and subjects contained in an agreement previously approved by the Commission; and

(e) Documentation showing that the request complies with the time requirements of the Act.

(3) Respondent may file a response within 25 days of the request for arbitration. In the response, the respondent must address each issue listed in the request, describe the respondent's position on those issues, and identify and present any additional issues for which the respondent seeks resolution.

(4) The arbitration will be conducted in a manner similar to a contested case proceeding, and the arbitrator will have the same authority to conduct the arbitration process as an ALJ has in conducting hearings under the Commission's rules. However, the arbitration process will be streamlined to meet the Act's timelines. An early conference will be held to discuss processing of the case, and to receive the proposal put forth by each party. The arbitrator will establish the schedule, and decide whether an oral hearing would be helpful. After the oral hearing or other procedures (for example, rounds of comments), each party will submit its "final offer" proposed agreement. The arbitrator will choose between the two final offers. However, if neither offer is consistent with the Act and Commission policies, the arbitrator will make an award that meets those requirements.

(5) Formal discovery procedures will be allowed only to the extent deemed necessary by the arbitrator. Parties will be required to cooperate in good faith in voluntary, prompt, and informal exchanges of information relevant to the matter. Unresolved discovery disputes will be resolved by the arbitrator upon request of a party. The arbitrator will order a party to provide information if the arbitrator determines the requesting party has a reasonable need for the requested information and that the request is not overly burdensome.

(6) Only the two negotiating parties will have full party status. The arbitrator may confer with Staff for assistance throughout the arbitration process. If Staff assistance is desired, the arbitrator will notify (by telephone or other means) the parties at least 24 hours before the consultation with Staff. The parties may attend or listen to the consultation and may respond in a manner allowed by the arbitrator.

(7) To keep the process moving forward, appeals to the Commission will not be allowed during the arbitration process. An arbitrator may certify a question to the Commission if deemed necessary.

(8) To accommodate the need for flexibility, the arbitrator may use procedures that vary from those set out here if the arbitrator deems it helpful in a particular arbitration, as long as the procedures are fair, treat the parties equitably, and substantially comply with the procedures listed here.

(9) Each arbitration award must:

(a) Ensure that the requirements of sections 251 and 252 of the Act and any valid applicable Federal Communications Commission regulations under that section are met;

(b) Establish interconnection and network element prices consistent with the Act;

(c) Establish a schedule for implementation of the agreement; and

(d) Be consistent with Commission policies.

(10) After an arbitration award is submitted to the Commission, notice will be served on those who have indicated a desire to receive notice of mediated and arbitrated agreements. Any person may then file comments within 10 days of service of the award.

(11) The Commission will accept or reject an arbitration award within 30 days.

(12) Within 14 days after the Commission issues its arbitration decision, petitioner must prepare an interconnection agreement complying with the terms of the arbitration decision and serve it on respondent. Within 10 days of service of this interconnection agreement, respondent must either sign and file the agreement or file objections to it. If objections are filed, respondent must state how the agreement fails to comply with the arbitration decision, and offer substitute language complying with the decision. The Commission will approve or reject a filed interconnection agreement within 30 days of its filing, or the agreement will be deemed approved. If petitioner, without respondent's consent, fails to timely prepare and serve an interconnection agreement on respondent, respondent may file a motion requesting the Commission dismiss the petition for arbitration with prejudice. The Commission may grant such motion if the petitioner's failure to timely prepare and serve the interconnection agreement was the result of inexcusable neglect on the part of petitioner.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 756
Statutes/Other Implemented: 47 USC 252
History:
PUC 1-2015, f. & cert. ef. 3-3-15
PUC 11-2006, f. & cert .ef. 12-15-06
PUC 8-1998, f. & cert. ef. 4-8-98

860-016-0040
Statement of Generally Available Terms

(1) A Bell Operating Company may file a statement of generally available terms that comply with Sections 251 and 252 of the Act. Any person may file comments concerning the statement of generally available terms within 30 days of the filing of the statement. The comments shall be limited to the standards for review established in this rule.

(2) The Commission will review the statement of generally available terms within 60 days of its submission, and either reject it or permit it to go into effect. The period for review may be extended if the submitting carrier agrees to a time extension. The Commission may continue to review the statement after it has gone into effect.

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 756
Statutes/Other Implemented: 47 USC 252
History:
PUC 8-1998, f. & cert. ef. 4-8-98

860-016-0050
Petitions for Enforcement of Interconnection Agreements

(1) This rule specifies the procedure for a telecommunications provider, as defined in OAR 860-032-0001, to file a complaint for the enforcement of an interconnection agreement executed pursuant to the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the Act). This includes interconnection agreements, resale agreements, agreements for the purchase or lease of unbundled network elements (UNEs), or statements of generally available terms and conditions (SGATs), whether those agreements were entered into through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or adoption of a prior agreement or portions of prior agreements. Section (13) of this rule specifies procedures for complaints alleging that telecommunications utilities have engaged in prohibited acts under ORS 759.455.

(2) At least 10 days prior to filing a complaint for enforcement, complainant must give written notice to defendant and the Commission that complainant intends to file a complaint for enforcement. The notice must identify the provisions in the agreement that complainant alleges were or are being violated and the specific acts or failure to act that caused or are causing the violation, and whether complainant anticipates requesting temporary or injunctive relief. On the same day the notice is filed with the Commission, complainant must serve a copy of the notice on defendant’s authorized representative, attorney of record, or designated agent for service of process. Complainant must also serve the notice on all persons designated in the interconnection agreement to receive notices;

(3) A complaint for enforcement of an interconnection agreement must:

(a) Contain a statement of specific facts demonstrating that the complainant conferred with defendant in good faith to resolve the dispute, and that despite those efforts the parties failed to resolve the dispute;

(b) Include a copy of the written notice, required by section (2), indicating that the complainant intends to file a complaint for enforcement;

(c) Include a copy of the interconnection agreement or the portion of the interconnection agreement that the complainant contends was or is being violated. If a copy of the entire interconnection agreement is provided, complainant must specify provisions at issue. If the interconnection agreement adopted a prior agreement or portions of prior agreements, the complaint must also indicate the provisions adopted in those agreements;

(d) Contain a statement of the facts or law demonstrating defendant's failure to comply with the agreement and complainant's entitlement to relief. The statement must indicate that the remedy sought is consistent with the dispute resolution provisions in the agreement, if any. Statements of facts must be supported by written testimony with affidavits, made by persons competent to testify and having personal knowledge of the relevant facts. Statements of law must be supported by appropriate citations. If exhibits are attached to the affidavits, the affidavits must contain the foundation for the exhibits;

(e) Designate up to three persons to receive copies of other pleadings and documents;

(f) Include any motions for affirmative relief, filed as a separate document and clearly marked. Nothing in this subsection precludes complainant from filing a motion subsequent to the filing of the complaint if the motion is based upon facts or circumstances unknown or unavailable to complainant at the time the complaint was filed; and

(g) Include an executive summary, filed as a separate document not to exceed 8 pages, outlining the issues and relief requested.

(4) On the same day the complaint is filed with the Commission, complainant must serve a copy of the complaint on defendant’s authorized representative, attorney of record, or designated agent for service of process. Service may be by electronic mail, fax, or overnight mail, but the complaint must arrive at defendant's location on the same day the complaint is filed with the Commission. Service by electronic mail or fax must be followed by a physical copy the next day by overnight delivery.

(5) Within 10 business days after service of the complaint, defendant may file an answer with the Commission. Any allegations raised in the complaint and not addressed in the answer are deemed admitted. The answer must:

(a) Contain a statement of specific facts demonstrating that the defendant conferred with complainant in good faith to resolve the dispute, and that despite those efforts the parties failed to resolve the dispute;

(b) Respond to each allegation set forth in the complaint and set forth all affirmative defenses;

(c) Contain a statement of the facts or law supporting defendant's position. Statements of facts must be supported by written testimony or one or more affidavits, made by persons competent to testify and having personal knowledge of the relevant facts. Statements of law must be supported by appropriate citations. If exhibits are attached to the affidavits, the affidavits must contain the foundation for the exhibits; and

(d) Designate up to three persons to receive copies of other pleadings and documents;

(6) On the same day as the answer is filed, the defendant must also file its response to any motion filed by complainant and its motions for affirmative relief. Each response and each motion must be filed as a separate filing. Nothing in this section precludes defendant from filing a motion subsequent to the filing of the answer if the motion is based upon facts or circumstances unknown or unavailable to defendant at the time the answer was filed.

(7) On the same day the answer is filed with the Commission, defendant must serve a copy of the answer to the complainant’s authorized representative, attorney of record, or designated agent for service of process.

(8) Complainant must file a reply to an answer that contains affirmative defenses within 5 business days after the answer is filed. On the same day the reply is filed with the Commission, complainant must serve a copy of the reply to defendant’s authorized representative, attorney of record, or designated agent for service of process.

(9) A cross-complaint or counterclaim must be answered within the 10-business day time frame allowed for answers to complaints.

(10) The Commission will conduct a conference regarding each complaint for enforcement of an interconnection agreement.

(a) The Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will schedule a conference within 5 business days after the answer is filed, to be held as soon as practicable. At the discretion of the ALJ, the conference may be conducted by telephone;

(b) Based on the complaint and the answer, all supporting documents filed by the parties, and the parties' oral statements at the conference, the ALJ will determine whether the issues raised in the complaint can be determined on the pleadings and submissions without further proceedings or whether further proceedings are necessary. If further proceedings are necessary, the ALJ will establish a procedural schedule. The procedural schedule may include a mandatory mediation session. Either party may request that a person other than the ALJ preside over the mediation. Nothing in this subsection is intended to prohibit the bifurcation of issues where appropriate;

(c) In determining whether further proceedings are necessary, the ALJ will consider, but is not limited to, the positions of the parties; the need to clarify evidence through the examination of witnesses; the complexity of the issues; the need for prompt resolution; and the completeness of the information presented;

(d) The ALJ may make oral rulings on the record during the conference on all matters relevant to the conduct of the proceeding.

(11) A party may file with the complaint or answer a request for discovery, stating the matters to be inquired into and their relationship to matters directly at issue.

(12) When warranted by the facts, the complainant or defendant may file a motion requesting that an expedited procedure be used. The moving party must file a proposed expedited procedural schedule along with its motion. The ALJ will schedule a conference to be held as soon as practicable, to determine whether an expedited schedule is warranted.

(a) The ALJ will consider whether the issues raised in the complaint or answer involve a risk of imminent, irrevocable harm to a telecommunications provider and to the public interest;

(b) If a determination is made that an expedited procedure is warranted, the ALJ will establish a procedure that ensures a prompt resolution of the merits of the dispute, consistent with due process and other relevant considerations. The ALJ will consider, but is not bound by, the moving party's proposed expedited procedural schedule;

(c) An expedited procedure may be appropriate if the complainant shows that its ability to provide telecommunications services will be substantially harmed unless the Commission acts promptly. In general, the Commission will not entertain a motion for expedited procedure where the dispute solely involves the payment of money.

(13) Procedures for complaints alleging violation of ORS 759.455.

(a) An answer under section (5) of this rule must be filed with the Commission and served on the complainant within 10 calendar days after service of the complaint;

(b) A reply under section (8) of this rule must be filed with the Commission and served on the defendant within 5 calendar days after the answer is filed;

(c) The ALJ will schedule a conference to be held not later than 15 calendar days after the complaint is filed;

(d) A hearing will begin no later than 30 days after the complaint is filed;

(e) The ALJ may consult with the Commission Staff in the manner set forth in OAR 860-016-0030(6).

Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183 & 756
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 756.040, 756.518, 759.030(1), 759.455, Ch. 1093, OL 1999 & 47 USC § 252
History:
PUC 1-2015, f. & cert. ef. 3-3-15
PUC 1-2005, f. & cert. ef. 2-2-05
PUC 21-2002, f. & cert. ef. 12-9-02
PUC 7-2000, f. & cert. ef. 5-3-00
PUC 7-1999, f. & cert. ef. 10-18-99