[Federal Register: June 4, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 107)]
[Notices]               
[Page 38497-38498]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04jn02-61]                         

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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[CC Docket 98-67; DA 02-1006]

 
Telecommunications Relay Services Applications for State 
Certification and Renewal of Current Certification Accepted until 
October 1, 2002

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This document announces that the Federal Communications 
Commission will accept applications for the renewal of state 
telecommunications relay services (TRS) program certification from July 
26, 2002 until October 1, 2002. Current state certification expires 
July 26, 2003. The Commission's rules provide that states may apply for 
a renewal of their certified state TRS program one year prior to the 
expiration of their current certification.

[[Page 38498]]


DATES: TRS applications for state certifications and renewal 
certifications are due on or before October 1, 2002.

ADDRESSES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For more information about the TRS 
state certification and renewal certification, please contact Dana 
Jackson, of the Consumer and Government Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-
2247 (voice), (202) 418-7898 (TTY) or e-mail dljackso@fcc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Parties who choose to submit by paper must 
submit an original and four copies of each filing on or before October 
1, 2002. To expedite the processing of applications, applicants are 
encouraged to submit an additional copy to Attn: Dana Jackson, Federal 
Communications Commission, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, 
445 12th Street, SW, Room 5-A741, Washington, DC 20554 or by e-mail at 
dljackso@fcc.gov. Applicants should also submit electronic disk copies 
of their application on a standard 3.5 inch diskette formatted in an 
IBM compatible format using Word 97 or compatible software. The 
diskette should be submitted in ``read-only'' mode and must be clearly 
labeled with the state's name, the filing date and captioned ``TRS 
Certification Application.''
    Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial 
overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service 
mail (although we continue to experience delays in receiving U.S. 
Postal Service mail). The Commission's contractor, Vistronix, Inc., 
will receive hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for 
the Commission's Secretary at 236 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Suite 110, 
Washington, DC 20002. The filing hours at this location are 8:00 a.m. 
to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber 
bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering 
the building. Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service 
Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton 
Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. U.S. Postal Service first-class mail, 
Express Mail, and Priority Mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, 
SW, Washington, DC 20554. All filings must be addressed to the 
Commission's Secretary, Marlene H. Dortch, Office of the Secretary, 
Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, Room TW-A325, 
Washington, DC 20554.
    The filings and comments will be available for public inspection 
and copying during regular business hours at the FCC Reference 
Information Center, Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW, Room CY-A257, 
Washington, DC 20554. They may also be purchased from the Commission's 
duplicating contractor, Qualex International, Portals II, 445 12th 
Street, SW, Room CY-B402, Washington, DC 20554, telephone (202) 863-
2893, facsimile (202) 863-2898, or via e-mail qualexint@aol.com. Copies 
of this document in other alternative formats (computer diskette, large 
print and Braille) are available to persons with disabilities by 
contacting Brian Millin, of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs 
Bureau at (202) 418-7426 (voice), (202) 418-7365 (TTY), or e-mail 
bmillin@fcc.gov. This Public Notice can also be downloaded in Text and 
ASCII formats at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro.

Synopsis

    The Commission's rules for the provision of TRS, pursuant to Title 
IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 47 U.S.C. 225, are codified 
at 47 CFR 64.601-605. Pursuant to 47 CFR 64.605(b), a state desiring 
certification of its TRS program must establish that:
    (1) The state program meets or exceeds all operational, technical, 
and functional minimum standards contained in 47 CFR 64.604;
    (2) The state program makes available adequate procedures and 
remedies for enforcing the state program; and
    (3) Where a state program exceeds the mandatory minimum standards 
contained in Section 64.604, the state establishes that its program in 
no way conflicts with federal law.
    Pursuant to 47 CFR 64.605(a), documentation must be submitted 
through the state's office of the governor or other delegated executive 
office empowered to provide TRS. All documentation in support of the 
application must be submitted in narrative form, and must clearly 
describe the state program for implementing intrastate TRS, and the 
procedures and remedies for enforcing any requirements imposed by the 
state program. To the maximum extent possible, states should provide 
historical, statistical, and illustrative evidence demonstrating 
compliance with the Commission's TRS rules.
    Upon receipt, the Commission will give public notice of state TRS 
certification applications and provide notification in the Federal 
Register, pursuant to 47 CFR 64.605(a). Interested parties will be 
invited to comment on each application within a period of time set by 
the Commission. In the event that a state's application is opposed or 
incomplete, the Commission may contact the responsible state officer to 
seek further documentation. If it appears that a state program will not 
meet certification requirements, the Commission will send notice to the 
responsible state officer prior to July 26, 2003, giving the state an 
opportunity to demonstrate that it has taken, or will take measures to 
bring its program into compliance with the Commission rules by July 26, 
2003.
    The Commission will act to approve the applications for 
certification of states that demonstrate compliance with all applicable 
requirements of the Commission's rules on or before July 26, 2003. 
Approved certifications will be in effect for five (5) years until July 
26, 2008 pursuant to 47 CFR 64.605(c). In the event a state does not 
apply for certification, the Commission will contact common carriers 
providing voice transmission service in that state to ensure that TRS 
service meeting the Commission minimum operational, functional and 
technical standards is available within their service areas. See 47 
U.S.C. 225(c).

Federal Communications Commission.
Margaret M. Egler,
Deputy Chief, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau.
[FR Doc. 02-13919 Filed 6-3-02; 8:45 am]
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