Section 160.19. Universal service fund council.

 

(1)  The commission shall appoint a universal service fund council to advise the commission concerning the administration of s. 196.218 , Stats., the content of administrative rules adopted under s. 196.218 , Stats., and any other matters assigned to the universal service fund council by the commission.

(2)  The universal service fund council shall consist of telecommunications providers and of consumers of telecommunications services. The commission shall appoint a diverse membership to the universal service council including representatives of the incumbent and competitive local exchange telecommunications industry; the cable industry; the wireless industry; and consumers of telecommunications services including residential, business, governmental, and public special interest group users of telecommunications services.

(3)  A majority of the members of the universal service fund council shall be representatives of consumers of telecommunications services.

(4)  

(a) Universal service fund council members shall be appointed to staggered three-year terms.

(b) The commission may appoint a replacement member to serve the remaining term of a member withdrawing from the universal service fund council.

(5)  The universal service fund council shall elect a chairperson and a vice-chairperson from its membership, not including the commission staff liaison. The term of office for these positions shall be one year. Elections may be held at the first meeting of each calendar year or may be conducted by mail prior to the first meeting of each calendar year.

(6)  The universal service fund council shall meet at least twice annually. Other meetings may be called, upon adequate notice to all members, to address matters of the fund as they arise. Meetings of the universal service fund council shall be open to the public.

(7)  Members of the universal service fund council shall serve without compensation. Members, other than those members representing the telecommunications industry and any members representing state agencies, may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as part of the universal service fund council, subject to budget guidelines adopted by the commission.

(8)  

(a) The universal service fund council may adopt bylaws appropriate for its operation.

(b) The universal service fund council may form subcommittees of its membership as necessary to review issues and make recommendations for consideration of the full council.

(9)  The commission shall assign staff members as needed to facilitate the work of the universal service fund council. The commission shall appoint a member of the commission staff to serve as staff liaison for the universal service fund council. The liaison shall be a non-voting member and shall do all of the following:

(a) Assist the universal service fund council in obtaining subject matter expertise in the area of universal telecommunications service.

(b) Maintain the official record of the universal service fund council, including membership, minutes of meetings, agendas and reports.

(c) Assist the chairperson of the universal service fund council in planning the agendas, times and places of meetings.

(d) Provide other administrative assistance as required.

Cr. Register, April, 1996, No. 484 , eff. 5-1-96; am. (4) (a) and (5), Register, April, 2000, No. 532 , eff. 5-1-00; CR 13-068 : am. (1), (2), (4) (b) Register Janaury 2016 No. 721, eff. 2-1-16.