A bill to amend section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 to provide that funds received as universal service contributions and the universal service support programs established pursuant to that section are not subject to certain provisions of title 31, United States Code, commonly known as the Antideficiency Act.

Anti-Deficiency Act, S. 241; Telecommunications Act Reform, S. 2686; Advanced Internet Services Act of 2005, H.R. 214

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $100,000

Government targets: Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1996 - Ongoing revision and implementation of regulations and guidance for schools and libraries "E-Rate" telecommunications discounts by Federal Communications Commission, Universal Service Administrative Corporation, Schools/Libraries Division, including Notices of Proposed Rulemaking and E-Rate issues affecting K-12 public schools, school districts, students and teachers INSTRUCTIONAL TELEVISION FIXED SERVICE (ITFS) - Preservation of ITFS broadcast spectrum for education entities and purposes during any Federal Communications Commission consideration of broadening ITFS allocation rules beyond the education community. HR 2533/S 241 THE ANTI-DEFICIENCY ACT: TO AMEND THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION ORGANIZATION ACT - To exempt the Universal Service Fund, including the "E-Rate" telecommunications discounts for K-12 schools and libraries from the Anti-Deficiency Act, permanently S 2686 THE CONSUMERS CHOICE AND BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT ACT - Comprehensive revision of federal telecommunications law, including Universal Service reforms that affect "E-Rate" telecommunications discounts for K-12 schools and libaries, and related provisions with impact on K-12 public schools Telecommunications Act of 1996 Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS) HR 2533/S 241, "The Anti-Deficiency Act: To Amend the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act"

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Education, Dept of, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE

Telecommunications Act Reauthorization US Interagency Working Group on Technology in Education H.R. 609 - Legislation to amend the Higher Education Act S. 1023 - Digital Opportunity Investment Trust S. 241 and H.R. 2553 - E-Rate Anti-Deficiency Act Exempt Implementation of PL 107-110, the No Child Left Behind Act Implementation of PL 108-446, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 National Education Technology Plan

Client expense: $300,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), General Services Administration (GSA), Government Printing Office (GPO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Natl Archives & Records Administration (NARA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), State, Dept of (DOS), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Copyright Office, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office

Legislation to amend section 227 of the Communications Act of 1934 Telecommunications Act Reauthorization Telephone Consumer Protection Act implementing rules S. 714 - Junk Fax Protection Act of 2005 S. 1023 - Digital Opportunity Investment Trust S. 241 and H.R. 2553 - E-Rate Anti Deficiency Act Exemption Software innovation

Client expense: $300,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), General Services Administration (GSA), Government Printing Office (GPO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Natl Archives & Records Administration (NARA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), State, Dept of (DOS), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Copyright Office, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office

Anti Deficiency Act Exemption Legislation, S. 241/H.R. 2377; E-rate Legislation

Client expense: $240,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Education, Dept of, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)

H.R. 3146 and S. 1349 To eliminate certain local cable franchising requirements HRes 230 To express the Sense of the House on Broadband over Powerlines H.R. 5027 Universal Service Reform Act of 2006 H.R. 5085 America Broadband for Communities Act H.R. 5252 Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement Act of 2006 H.R. 5352 Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2006 S. 241 To Exempt Universal Service from the Anti-Deficiency Act S. 284 To distribute non-rural universal service support according to a new formula S. 497 Rural Access to Broadband Service Act S. 535 Native Americans Connectivity Act S. 1147 To amend the IR code to provide for the expensing of broadband Internet access expenditures S. 1294 To preserve the ability of local governments to provide broadband services without restrictions S. 1504 To establish a market-driven telecommunications marketplace through deregulation S. 1583 To strengthen the universal service program and support mechanisms S. 1932 Deficit Reconciliation Omnibus Act of 2005 and H.R. 4241 Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 with emphasis on advancing the digital television migration provisions as the association members would like to utilize the 700 megahertz spectrum the broadcasters vacate. S. 2113 Digital Age Communications Act - emphasis on its universal service programs S. 2256 Internet and Universal Service Act of 2008 S. 2327 Wireless Innovation Act of 2006 S. 2686 Communications, Consumer Choice, and Broadband Deployment Act of 2006 S. 2332 American Broadband for Communities Act S. 1349 The Video Choice Act of 2005 H.R. 5414 Internet Freedom and Non-discrimination Act of 2006 S. 2917 Internet Freedom Preservation Act S. 2178 and H.R. 4709 Law Enforcement and Phone Privacy Protection Act of 2006 To pursue a regulatory environment that allows the association's incumbent rural telecom providers to continue serving the high cost markets no other entities have cared to, without facing uneconomic, artifically induced competition. The association believes in a strong universal service program and full cost recovery via that program, intercarrier compensation, and consumer rates. The association further believes that competitive entrants to the business should be willing to live up to the same industry responsibilities surrounding these concepts that incumbent carriers have met for decades. In addition, the association strongly advocates for fair access to all forms of content and infrastructure whether in voice, video, or data format. The association has also worked as a partner with the Coalition to Keep America Connected to educate the public and in limited circumstances, the Congress, about these issues. The association also works with relevant regulatory bodies and other federal policymakers to ensure the operating environment for small businesses is of a nature that will allow them to successfully fulfill their mission of service to rural consumers. Specific emphasis was directed toward discussing elements of the ongoing full enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley statute that has the potential to create many financial burdens on small business entitites such as rural communications providers. The association's interest in all of the measures listed below stems from these perspectives. H.R. 102 Children's Access to Technology Act H.R. 144 Rural America Digital Accessibility Act H.R. 146 Grants for Broadband Economic Development H.R. 214 To promote deployment and investment in Internet Protocol oriented advanced Internet communications services H.R. 1479 Rural Access to Broadband Services H.R. 1730 To Reinstate FCC Authority to Regulate Cable Rates H.R. 2418 and S. 1063 To promote and enhance public safety with regard to Internet Protocol enabled voice services H.R. 2533 and S. 241 To exempt universal service funds and programs from the federal Anti-Deficiency Act H.R. 2726 To prohibit municipal governments from offering telecommunications, information or cable services except in certain cases With regard to the measures listed below, the association has the following interests:

Client expense: $720,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA)

S241: ANTI-DEFICIENCY ACT EXEMPTION; EXEMPTING ERATE PROGRAM FROM FEDERAL ADA S1504: MARKET DRIVEN TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKETPLACE; NET NEUTRALITY ISSUES HR2354: TV CONSUMER CHOICE ACT; EFFECT ON DTV TRANSITION HR1201: DIGITAL RIGHTS CONSUMER'S ACT; FAIR USE DEFINITION S2113: ESTABLISH WIDESPEAD AVAILABILITY OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK DEVICES; FAIR PRACTICES FOR INTERNET ACCESS SECTIONS758: INTERNET TAX NONDESCRIMINATION; BAN OF INTERNET TAXATION HR29: THE SPY ACT; SPYWARE PROVISIONS

Client expense: $420,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Federal Communications Commission (FCC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

S.241, Universal Service Fund Issues related to the Transportation Appropriations: Government contracting and procurement of telecommunications services FCC reauthorization Issues affecting long distance telephone service Universal Service Fund in generalTelecommunications industry mergers

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $100,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Telecommunications issues; anti-trust legislation related to telecommunications; Universal Service Fund, S.241/H.R.2533, application of Anti-deficiency Act.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $60,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

HR 214 To promote deployment and investment in Internet Protocol oriented advanced Internet communications services HR 2418 and S 1063 to promote and enhance public safety with regard to Internet Protocol enabled voice services. HR 2533 and S 241 to exempt universal service funds and programs from the federal AntiDeficiency Act HR 2726 to prohibit municipal governments from offering telecommunications, information, or cable services except in certain cases. HR 3146 and S 1349 to eliminate certain local cable franchising requirements. S 284 To distribute non-rural universal service support according to a new formula. S 1147 to amend the IR Code to provide for the expensing of broadband Internet access expenditures. S 1294 to preserve the ability of local governments to provide broadband services without restrictions. S 1504 to esablish a market driven telecommunications marketplace through deregulation. S 1583 to strengthen the universal service program and support mechanisims. The underlying initiative behind our interest in all of the above is to preserve a regulatory environment that allows our members to continue serving the high-cost markets no one else cared to, without facing uneconomic artificial competition. Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring the universal service system operates according to congressional intent and that its contribution and distribution mechanisms are altered to ensure its future. We also engaged in discussions and debates on 700 Megahertz and other spectrum, broadband deployment, prepaid calling cards, industry mergers, intercarrier compensation, truth in billing, local number portability, video services, restransmission, and interconnection mandates and responsibilities.

Client expense: $820,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Natl Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA), Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

-Seeking grant funding to build/upgrade telecommunications infrastructure in rural Alaska; -Advocacy on passage of S. 241, to fully exempt the Universal Service FUnd from the Anti-Deficiency Act; -Advocacy on a rewrite of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Federal Communications Commission (FCC), SENATE

-Seeking grant funding to build/upgrade telecommunications infrastructure in rural Alaska; -Advocacy on passage of S. 241, to fully exempt the Universal Service FUnd from the Anti-Deficiency Act; -Advocacy on a rewrite of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Federal Communications Commission (FCC), SENATE

-Seeking grant funding to build/upgrade telecommunications infrastructure in rural Alaska; -Advocacy on passage of S. 241, to fully exempt the Universal Service FUnd from the Anti-Deficiency Act; -Advocacy on a rewrite of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Federal Communications Commission (FCC), SENATE