​​​NRECA submitted comments in response to an FCC Public Notice seeking comment on potential reforms to the operations and management of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). USAC administers the Universal Service Fund and conducts funding recipient audits.

In response to member experiences where they have received a relatively minimal amount of program funding, and have then been subject to a random audit that has cost them more than they received in funding – NRECA is proposing that the Commission adopt an exception whereby USF recipients that receive $50,000 or less in funds from a USF program in a 12-month period are exempt from random compliance audits for that program for the same 12-month period. This is a reasonable ask that is in keeping with the Commission’s stated efforts toward reform (eliminating regulatory barriers, unnecessary rules, etc.) – and something that could make a real difference to small rural broadband providers.

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