Rule 515-7-8-.13. Penalties
Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 46-4-158.1(c), failure to meet an SQM benchmark shall subject a certificated Marketer to fines as determined by the Commission.
- (a) The Marketer shall be assessed a penalty after a failed remediation period as explained in Rule 515-7-8-.12.
- (b) The presumptive penalty for non-compliance with any SQM benchmark, shall be $25,000 per each non-compliance event.
- (c) Marketers shall deposit the penalties directly into the Universal Service Fund (USF) escrow account by electronic wire transfer, certified check, or cashier's check. Payments are due by the 15th of the month following the Remediation Report and every 15th of the subsequent month thereafter, when applicable (if non-compliance continues). All penalties may be subject to Commission discretion. The affected party and/or Staff may petition the Commission to have penalties adjusted up or down.
Authority: O.C.G.A. § 46-2-30.
History. Original Rule entitled "Penalties" adopted. F. Jan. 15, 2025; eff. Feb. 5, 2025.