New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 17 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND UTILITY SERVICES
Chapter 11 - TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Part 10 - STATE RURAL UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND
Section 17.11.10.12 - RESPONSIBILITIES OF ADMINISTRATOR

A. Fairly, consistently, and efficiently administer fund collections and disbursements in accordance with commission rules and subject to commission oversight.

B. Establish an account or accounts in one or more independent financial institutions and ensuring that the monies deposited in the fund are insured to the maximum extent permitted by law and that they earn a return commensurate with that of state funds held on deposit in banks or other financial institutions.

C. Ensure that the fund complies with all necessary requirements for exemption from federal, state and local taxes.

D. Establish procedures, consistent with the commission's procedural rules and law, and with the commission's approval, for protecting the confidentiality of information submitted pursuant to this rule.

E. Report to the commission on fund activities at least once each year; the report shall include fund collections and disbursements, administrative expenditure information, budget projections and such other information as the commission may require.

F. Prepare an annual proposed budget for administration of the fund and submit it to the commission for review, revision, rejection or approval at such time in advance of the need for commission approval as the commission may direct, or absent such direction, at a reasonable time.

G. Propose to the commission uniform procedures, and develop forms, to identify exempt customers, in consultation with contributing companies.

H. Create and maintain the databases necessary to administer the program and account for the funds.

I. Develop appropriate forms for use in collecting information from contributing companies and ETCs.

J. Pay administrative expenses out of the fund in accordance with the budget approved by the commission.

K. Petition the commission to institute an enforcement or other action when the administrator finds that it is otherwise unable to collect amounts properly due from a contributing company under these rules, or when it appears to the administrator that any contributing company or ETC carrier is otherwise out of compliance with these rules or applicable law.

L. Conduct, not less than once every year, such reviews as are necessary to ensure that each contributing company is making its required contributions to the fund and that support from the fund is used for the purpose of the fund.

M. Advise the commission of any anticipated material changes to, or fluctuations in, the collection of fund revenues in a timely manner and make recommendations to the commission on ways to address or correct such changes or fluctuations.