§ 23-16-401. Title
This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Arkansas Lifeline Individual Verification Effort Corporation Act”.
§ 23-16-402. Definitions
As used in this subchapter: (1) “Eligible telecommunications carrier” has the same meaning as provided in § 23-17-403; (2) “Lifeline Assistance Program” means the federally mandated Lifeline Assistance Program that provides certain discounts on monthly service for qualified telephone subscribers; and (3) “Link Up America” means the federally mandated Link Up America program through the […]
§ 23-16-403. Arkansas Lifeline Individual Verification Effort Corporation — Creation — Board of directors
(a) There is created the Arkansas Lifeline Individual Verification Effort Corporation. (b) The corporation shall be governed by a seven-member board of directors appointed by the Governor as follows: (1) Three (3) board members shall be consumers; and (2) Four (4) board members shall be representatives of eligible telecommunications carriers. (c) (1) The Governor shall […]
§ 23-16-404. Board of directors — Attendance at meetings required
(a) In order to ensure broad representation and a quorum, all members of the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Lifeline Individual Verification Effort Corporation have a responsibility to attend all regular or special meetings of the board. (b) (1) A board member shall be subject to removal from the board if the member fails […]
§ 23-16-405. Assessment on eligible telecommunications carriers
(a) (1) The Board of Directors of the Arkansas Lifeline Individual Verification Effort Corporation shall levy assessments on all eligible telecommunications carriers participating in the verification program not to exceed ten cents (10¢) per subject access line per month in order to fund the services provided by the Arkansas Lifeline Individual Verification Effort Corporation. (2) […]
§ 23-16-406. Option to participate or cease participation
(a) An eligible telecommunications carrier may elect not to participate under this subchapter without the need for approval by the Arkansas Lifeline Individual Verification Effort Corporation if the eligible telecommunications carrier files notice with the corporation within one hundred twenty (120) days after August 12, 2005. (b) (1) If approved by the corporation: (A) A […]
§ 23-16-407. Powers and duties of corporation
(a) (1) The Arkansas Lifeline Individual Verification Effort Corporation shall provide services to verify eligibility under the Lifeline Assistance Program for individuals for whom other governmental entities do not verify the data. If another governmental entity provides verification, the corporation shall not duplicate the verification. (2) The corporation may provide services to verify eligibility under […]
§ 23-16-408. Staff — Real property — Debt
(a) The Arkansas Lifeline Individual Verification Effort Corporation shall not employ any person as a salaried employee but shall rely upon volunteers and professional services obtained by contract. (b) No corporate asset may be used to purchase or lease any real property, nor is the corporation authorized to incur any indebtedness.
§ 23-16-409. Corporate offices
The Arkansas Lifeline Individual Verification Effort Corporation may maintain an office at such location as it deems suitable.
§ 23-16-410. Annual audit
The Arkansas Lifeline Individual Verification Effort Corporation shall be audited annually in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and file a copy of the audit with the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee and the Arkansas Public Service Commission.
§ 23-16-411. Articles of incorporation
Within thirty (30) days after the first meeting of the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Lifeline Individual Verification Effort Corporation, the board shall cause articles of incorporation to be filed with the Secretary of State.
§ 23-16-412. Purchase of telecommunications services
The purchase of verification services by the Arkansas Lifeline Individual Verification Effort Corporation shall be by competitive bid using procedures substantially similar to the Arkansas Procurement Law, § 19-11-201 et seq.
§ 23-16-413. Annual report
The Board of Directors of the Arkansas Lifeline Individual Verification Effort Corporation shall transmit an annual report of its activities to the Legislative Council, the Governor, and the Arkansas Public Service Commission. The annual report shall be filed by March 31 of each year.