Jurisdictional separations is the process of apportioning regulated costs between the interstate and intrastate jurisdictions. The primary purpose of separations is to determine whether a local exchange carrier (LEC)'s cost of providing regulated services are to be recovered through its rates for intrastate services or through its rates for interstate services. The first step in the current separations process requires carriers to apportion regulated costs among categories of plant and expenses. In the second step of the current separations process, the costs in each category are apportioned between the intrastate and interstate jurisdictions. Once costs are separated between the jurisdictions, carriers can then apportion their interstate regulated costs among their interexchange services and their intrastate costs among intrastate services.
Separations Joint Board Members
Jurisdictional Separations Federal-State Joint Board List pdf
Separations Headlines
2019
2/15/2019
Federal Register Publication: Federal Communications Commission, Final rule, Jurisdictional Separations and Referral to the Federal-State Joint Board. (CC Docket No. 80-286; FCC 18-182) pdf
2/11/2019
Joint Board Appointment Order: The Federal Communications Commission appoints the Honorable John Gavan, Colorado Public Utilities Commissioner, and Dan Lipschultz, Minnesota Public Utilities Commissioner, to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations. (CC Docket No. 80-286; FCC 19-7) pdf
2/8/2019
Joint Board Appointment Order: The Federal Communications Commission appoints the Honorable Geoffrey Starks, Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations. (CC Docket No. 80-286; FCC 19-6) pdf
2018
12/17/2018
Report and Order and Waiver: The Federal Communications Commission extends the freeze of jurisdictional separations category relationships and cost allocation factors in Part 36 of the Commission’s rules for up to six years, through December 31, 2024, or earlier if the Commission adopts comprehensive reform of the Part 36 jurisdictional separations rules. The current freeze extension expires on December 31, 2018. The Federal Communications Commission also allows rate-of-return carriers that elected to freeze their separations category relationships in 2001 to withdraw from that election in 2019. (CC Docket No. 80-286; FCC 18-182) pdf
10/17/2018
Report and Order: The Federal Communications Commission amends Part 36 jurisdictional separations rules to conform to its Part 32 Reform Order, to be effective on January 1, 2019. [CC Docket No. 80-286, WC Docket No. 14-130; FCC 18-141] pdf
7/27/2018
Federal Register Publication: Federal Communications Commission, Proposed rule, Jurisdictional Separations and Referral to the Federal-State Joint Board [CC Docket No. 80-286; FCC 18-99] pdf
7/18/2018
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: The Federal Communications Commission seeks public comment on a proposal to extend the freeze of jurisdictional separations category relationships and cost allocation factors in the Commission’s rules for 15 years, through December 31, 2033, whether to alter the scope of the Commission’s referral to the Joint Board regarding comprehensive separations reform, and whether to allow rate-of-return carriers that elected to freeze their category relationships in 2001 to opt out of that freeze. Comments are due on or before August 27, 2018. Reply comments are due on or before September 10, 2018. [CC Docket No. 80-286; FCC 18-99] pdf
3/13/2018
Federal Register Publication: Federal Communications Commission, Proposed rule, Comprehensive Review of the Uniform System of Accounts; Jurisdictional Separations and Referral to the Federal-State Joint Board [CC Docket No. 80-286, WC Docket No. 14-130; FCC 18-22]pdf
2/22/2018
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: The Federal Communications seeks public comment on a Joint Board Recommended Decision released on October 27, 2017 to amend Part 36 jurisdictional separations rules to conform to the Commission’s Part 32 Reform Order. Comments are due on or before April 12, 2018. Reply comments are due on or before April 27, 2018. [CC Docket No. 80-286, WC Docket No. 14-130; FCC 18-22]pdf
2017
11/13/2017
Joint Board Appointment Order: The Federal Communications Commission appoints the Honorable Brendan Carr, Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations, who replaces Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai, who vacates his position on the Separations Joint Board. (FCC 17-149) pdf
10/27/2017
Federal State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations Recommended Decision: The Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations adopts a Recommended Decision responding to the Federal Communications Commission’s referral to the Joint Board in the Part 32 Reform Order to modify Part 36 rules to reflect the reforms adopted by the Federal Communications Commission in its Part 32 Reform Order. (FCC No. 17J-3) pdf
6/2/2017
Federal Register Publication: Federal Communications Commission, Final rule, Jurisdictional Separations and Referral to the Federal-State Joint Board. pdf
5/15/2017
Report and Order: The Federal Communications Commission extends the freeze of jurisdictional separations category relationships and cost allocation factors in Part 36 of the Commission’s rules for eighteen months, through December 31, 2018. The current freeze extension expires on June 30, 2017. doc
4/24/2017
Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations Public Notice: The Federal-State Joint Board seeks to refresh the record on issues related to an interim adjustment of separations allocation factors and category relationships, and comprehensive jurisdictional separations reform. Comments are due on or before May 24, 2017. Reply comments are due on or before June 8, 2017. pdf
4/24/2017
Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations Public Notice: The Federal-State Joint Board seeks comment on referral for recommendations of rule changes to Part 36 of the Federal Communications Commission rules as a result of Commission revisions to Part 32 accounting rules. Comments are due on or before May 24, 2017. Reply comments are due on or before June 8, 2017. pdf
4/3/2017
Federal Register Publication: Federal Communications Commission, Proposed rule, Jurisdictional Separations and Referral to the Federal-State Joint Board. pdf
3/20/2017
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: The Federal Communications Commission seeks public comment on a proposal to extend the freeze of jurisdictional separations category relationships and cost allocation factors in the Commission’s rules for eighteen months, through December 31, 2018. Comments are due on or before April 17, 2017. Reply comments are due on or before April 24, 2017. pdf
3/20/2017
Joint Board Appointment Order: The Federal Commission appoints the Honorable Wendy M. Moser, Colorado Public Utilities Commissioner, to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations. pdf
2/3/2017
Joint Board Appointment Order: The Federal Communications Commission appoints the Honorable Ajit Pai, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, the Honorable Michael O’Rielly, Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, and the Honorable Mignon Clyburn, Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations, and designates the Honorable Michael O’Rielly as the federal chair of the Separations Joint Board. (FCC No. 17-9) Word
2016
2015
6/29/2015
Joint Board Appointment Order: The Federal Commission appoints the Honorable Sarah D. Hoffmann, Commissioner, Vermont Public Service Board, to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations. [CC Docket No. 80-286; FCC 15-75)6/26/2014
2014
6/26/2014
Federal Register Publication:Federal Communications Commission, Final rule, Jurisdictional Separations and Referral to the Federal-State Joint Board [CC Docket No. 80-286; FCC 14-27]
6/13/2014
Report and Order: The Federal Communications Commission extends the freeze of jurisdictional separations category relationships and cost allocation factors in Part 36 of the Commission’s rules for three years, through June 30, 2017. The current freeze extension expires on June 30, 2014.
4/2/2014
Federal Register Publication: Federal Communications Commission, Proposed rule, Jurisdictional Separations and Referral to the Federal-State Joint Board [CC Docket No. 80-286; FCC 14-27]
3/27/2014
Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: The Federal Communications Commission seeks public comment on a proposal to extend the freeze of jurisdictional separations category relationships and cost allocation factors in the Commission's rules for three years, through June 30, 2017. In this document, the Commission also proposes to direct the Wireline Competition Bureau to open a filing "window" to encourage (but not require) rate-of-return incumbent local exchange carriers that desire waivers of the category relationships freeze to file petitions for waiver during the window. Comments are due on or before April 16, 2014. Reply comments are due on or before April 23, 2014.
2/7/2014
Joint Board Appointment Order: The Federal Communications Commission appoints the Honorable Sally Talberg, Michigan Public Service Commissioner, to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations.
2013
12/16/2013
Joint Board Appointment Order: The Federal Commission appoints the Honorable Travis Kavulla, Montana Public Service Commissioner, to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations. pdf
2012
5/8/2012
Report and Order: The Federal Communications Commission extends the freeze of jurisdictional separations category relationships and cost allocation factors in Part 36 of the Commission's rules until June 30, 2014.Word PDF
2011
5/4/2011
Report and Order: The Federal Communications Commission extends the freeze of jurisdictional separations category relationships and cost allocation factors in Part 36 of the Commission’s rules until June 30, 2012. Specifically, the Commission extends the existing freeze of Part 36 category relationships and jurisdictional cost allocation factors. Word PDF
2010
9/17/2010
Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations Public Notice:The Federal-State Joint Board announces September 24 2010 Meeting and Roundtable discussion of Jurisdictional Separations Reform.
5/25/2010
Report and Order: The Federal Communications Commission extends the freeze of jurisdictional separations category relationships and cost allocation factors in Part 36 of the Commission’s rules until June 30, 2011. Word | Acrobat
4/5/2010
Federal Register Publication
3/30/2010
Public Notice: The Federal-State Joint Board seeks comment on a proposal for interim adjustments to jurisdictional separations allocation factors and category relationships pending comprehensive reform and seeks comment on comprehensive reform. Word | Acrobat
3/29/2010
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking : The Federal Communiations Commission seeks public comment on a proposal to extendd the freeze of jurisdictional separations category relationships and cost allocation factors in the Commission's rules for twelve months, through June 30, 2010. Comments are due on or before April 19, 2010. Reply comments are due on or before April 26, 2010. Word | Acrobat
2009
12/17/2009
Joints Board Appointments Order: The Federal Communications Commission appoints Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Meredeith Atwell Baker to the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service and the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations, and appoints Commissioners Cyburn and Baker, and Chairman Julius Genachowski to the Federal-State Joint Conference on Advanced Telecommunications Services. Word | Acrobat
5/15/2009
Report and Order: The Federal Communications Commission extends the freeze of Jurisdictional separations category relationships and cost allocation factors in Part 36 of the Commission's rules until June 30, 2010, and refers to the Federal-State Joint Board on Separations review of the Commission’s jurisdictional separations rules to consider how the rules can be effectively reformed. Word | Acrobat
5/14/2009
Joint Board Appointment Order: The Federal Communications Commission appoints the Honorable Thomas W. Pugh, Commissioner, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations. Word | Acrobat
3/27/2009
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking The Federal Communications Commission seeks public comment on a proposal to extend the freeze of jurisdictional separations category relationships and cost allocation factors in Part 36 of the Commission's rules for one year, until June 30, 2010. Word | Acrobat
3/19/2009
Public Notice The Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on a National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) request that the Commission clarify and/or waive Part 36 separation rules (allocation of costs between intrastate and interstate jurisdictions) to allow rate-of-return incumbent LECS to assign and allocate to the interstate jurisdiction all general and administrative costs associated with audits by the OIG or USAC. Comments are due on or before April 20, 2009. Reply comments are due on or before May 5, 2009. Word | Acrobat
2008
05/23/2008
Order:The Federal Communications Commission appoints the Honorable Steve Kolbeck, Vice Chairman, South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, and the Honorable Anthony Palermino, Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control, to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations. Word | Acrobat
2007
2006
05/16/2006
Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: The Federal Communications Commission addresses several pending issues related to the jurisdictional separations process by which incumbent local exchange carriers apportion regulated costs between the intrastate and interstate jurisdictions. The Commission adopts an Order extending the freeze of jurisdictional separations category relationships and cost allocation facotrs in Part 36 of the Commission's rules no longer than three years from the intial date of the extension or until such comprehensive reform can be completed, whichever is sooner. The Commission also adopts a FNPRM seeking comment on issues relating to reform of the jurisdictional separations process. Commens are due on or before August 22, 2006. Reply comments are due on or before November 20, 2006. Word | Acrobat
2005
2/25/2005
Joint Board Appointment Order: The Commission appoints the Honorable Mark K. Johnson, Commissioner, Regulatory Commission of Alaska, to serve on the Federal State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations. (CC Docket No. 80-286,) FCC 05-44 Word
Public Notice: The Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations Seeks comment on Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) Issues (CC Docket No.80-286) DA 05- 535 pdf
2002
2/5/2002
Joint Board Appointment Order: The Federal Communications Commission appoints the Honorable John D. Burke, Vermont Public Service Board, the Honorable Judith G. Ripley, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, and the Honorable Paul Kjellander, Idaho Public Utilities Commission, to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations. (CC Docket No.80-286) DA 02- 279 Word
2/13/2002
Public Notice: The Common Carrier Bureau announces that the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations will be holding an en banc hearing on comprehensive separations reform, from 10:30 to 12:00 noon on February 13, 2002. (Docket No.80-286) DA 02- 279 Text | Word | Agenda
2001
12/26/2001
Errata: The Common Carrier Bureau clarifies that reply comments in the "Glide Path" proceeding are due on or before March 8, 2002. Comments are still due on or before January 22, 2002. ( Docket No. 80-286) DA 01-2973 Text | Word
12/20/2001
Public Notice: The Common Carrier Bureau seeks comment on Options for Separations: A Paper Prepared by the State Members of the Federal-State Joint Board on Separations" (Glide Path Paper), filed on December 19, 2001. Public comments are due on or before January 22, 2002. Reply Comments are due on or before March 8, 2002. Text | Word | Glide Path Paper | Glide Path Cover Letter
10/18/2001
Joint Board Appointment Order: The Common Carrier Bureau amends section 36.154(a) of the Commission's rules to correct typographical errors committed by the Federal Register, so that the rule published in the CFR matches the rule adopted by the Commission. (CC Docket No. 78-72, 80-286) DA 01-2427 Acrobat | Text
7/12/2001
Joint Board Appointment Order: The Federal Communications Commission appoints Commissioner Kevin J. Martin and the Commissioner Michael J. Copps. to serve on the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations. (CC Docket No. 96-45) FCC 01-203 Text | Word
06/26/2001
Order: The Common Carrier Bureau grants a limited waiver of section 36.3(b) of our rules, in response to a Joint Petition filed by the National Exchange Carrier Association, the United States Telephone Association, the National Telephone Cooperative Association, the National Rural Telecom Association, and the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies. (CC Docket No. 80-286) DA No. 01-1505 pdf
05/22/2001
Order: The Federal Communications Commission adopts the recommendation of the Federal State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations to impose an interim freeze of the Part 36 category relationships and jurisdictional cost allocation factors. The interim freeze is to be in effect for five years through June 30, 2006, or until the Commission has completed comprehensive separation reform, whichever comes first. Text | Word
2/02/2001
Public Notice: The Common Carrier Bureau seeks comment on Moultrie Independent Telephone Company's Request for Clarification of the Affiliate Sale/Lease-back Rules under Part 36 of the Commission's Rules. Comments are due on or before Februrary 16, 2001. Reply Comments are due on or before Februrary 26, 2001. (CC Docket No. 96-45) DA No. 01-267 pdf
2000
10/30/2000
Public Notice: Common Carrier Bureau seeks comment on the Recommended Decision issued by the Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations for instituting an interim freeze of the Part 36 category relationships and jurisdictional allocation factors. Comments due 15 days from Federal Register publication; Reply comments due 25 days from Federal Register publication. This Public Notice is substantially similar to a public notice released on August 15, 2000, (DA No. 00-1865) which inadvertently was not published in the Federal Register. Text | Word
8/15/2000
Public Notice: Common Carrier Bureau seeks comment on the Recommended Decision issued by he Federal-State Joint Board on Jurisdictional Separations, FCC 00J-2, released July 21, 2000, for instituting an interim freeze of the Part 36 category relationships and jurisdictional allocation factors. (DA No. 00-1865). CC Docket No. 80-286, Text | |Word
7/21/2000
Recommended Decision: The Federal-State Joint Board on recommends that the Commission institute an interim freeze of the Part 36 category relationships and jurisdictional allocation factors for price cap carriers and jurisdictional allocation factors only for rate-of-return carriers. The Joint Board recommends that the freeze remain in effect for five years, or until the Commission takes further action pursuant to a recommendation from the Joint Board, whichever occurs first. The Joint Board also recommends that the Joint Board and the Commission continue to review issues regarding separations reform. (CC Docket No. 80-286, FCC 00J-2.) Text | Word
7/21/2000
Protective Order: The Common Carrier Bureau released a Protective Order, in conjunction with the Recommended Decision adopted by the Federal-State Joint Board on July 19, 2000, which will allow interested parties to review the underlying data used by the Federal-State Joint Board in analyzing various separations freeze options by means of the State Members' Separations Simulation Tool. CC Docket No. 80-286, DA 00-1638. Text Word