Telecom

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Data Practices

The Commission's data practices policy related to general practices, public access to information, data on individuals and trade secret and other protected data are guided by MN Statutes Chapter 13, the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.

• Public Utilities Commission Report on Data on Individuals
• Public Access To Government Data And Rights Of Subjects Of Data
• Trade Secret and other Privileged Data
• Your Rights as a Member of the Public to Access Government Data - Section V
• Your Rights as the Subject of Government Data - Section VI

Ex parte Communication

Ex parte communication guidelines for Communicating with Commissioners is guided by MN Statutes Chapter 216A and MN Rules, Chapter 7845. These guidelines ensure that the decision-making process is fair and impartial. Commission employees, utilities and other parties in proceedings before the Commission are held to certain standards regarding "ex parte" communication on cases under review. Ex parte communication is defined as "oral or written, off-the record communication made to or by commissioners or commission decision-making personnel, without notice to parties, that is directed to the merits or outcome of an on-the-record proceeding."

Generally, the ex parte rules prohibit Commissioners from engaging in informal communications with parties that could influence how a case is decided. Under the rules of ex parte communications, parties may not, for example, present information to commissioners about the facts or merits of a case, extend offers of employment, or offer gifts or favors.

If prohibited ex parte communication is attempted, the rules require that the Commissioner involved first attempt to stop the party from engaging in prohibited behavior, then document the attempt and notify the Executive Secretary. The Executive Secretary will then enter a statement into the public file and make copies of the statement available to other parties in the case.

Communication between commission staff and parties is allowed without documentation for procedural, scheduling, and status inquiries, or other inquiries or requests for information--as long as they have no bearing on the outcome of the proceeding. Staff may also engage in ex parte communication about the merits of the case, but such communication must be documented.