1. A. Mediation -- Except as otherwise precluded by law, a resolution of any dispute concerning any pole attachment agreement, negotiation, permit, audit, or billing may be pursued through mediation while reserving to the parties all rights to an adjudicative process before the Commission.

   1. 1. The parties may file their action with the Commission and request leave to pursue mediation any time before a hearing.
   2. 2. The choice of mediator and the apportionment of costs shall be determined by agreement of the parties. However, the parties may jointly request a mediator from the Commission or the Division of Public Utilities.
   3. 3. A party need not pay the portion of a bill that is disputed if it has started a dispute proceeding within 60 days of the due date of the disputed amount. The party shall notify the Commission if the dispute process is not before the Commission.

2. B. Settlement -- If the parties reach a mediated agreement or settlement, they will prepare and sign a written agreement and submit it to the Commission. Unless the agreement or settlement is contrary to law and this rule, R746-345, the Commission will approve the agreement or settlement and dismiss or cancel proceedings concerning the matters settled.

   1. 1. If the agreement or settlement does not resolve all of the issues, the parties shall prepare a stipulation that identifies the issues resolved and the issues that remain in dispute.
   2. 2. If any issues remain unresolved, the matter will be scheduled for a hearing before the Commission.

KEY: public utilities, rules and procedures, telecommunications, telephone utility regulation

Date of Last Change: August 29, 2006

Notice of Continuation: July 11, 2023

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 54-4-13