Maria Rowan

The meeting covered several actions taken by the Commissioners across various departments. The Communications & NUSF Department addressed an inquiry into CenturyLink's compliance with a prior order, resulting in a motion to close the docket. An Audit Waiver Order was entered regarding Nebraska Universal Service Fund audit requirements. The Transportation Department addressed multiple dockets concerning the revocation of operating authority or certificates for carriers including WADDI, LLC d/b/a Wings of Love, LLC, Happy Moments Home Healthcare, LLC, and Hudson Sherlock Holdings, LLC d/b/a Nebraska Party Bus. An application for voluntary suspension of operating authority for Venus Home Care, LLC d/b/a Venus Transportation was granted. Authority transfer and acquisition for Catch A Ride Taxi and Transportation, LLC was approved. A new carrier, Integrated Business Concepts, LLC, d/b/a VET'd Transportation Services, was granted authority as a common carrier with specified restrictions. An order regarding carriers non-compliant with annual renewal requirements was partially dismissed. Rates for Vitalmove LLC were granted. The Commission received reports on motor transportation and railroad complaints, and completed Household Goods Mover License renewals. The Grain Department opened a docket concerning potential claims to the security of Hansen-Mueller Co. In legislative matters, the Commission decided to hold a neutral position on one bill and support another. Finally, travel approval for the Executive Director to attend the ESRI Conference was granted.

The meeting covered several actions across multiple departments. The Communications & NUSF Department authorized an order concerning advanced telecommunications capability service for Coleen Suing, considered modifications to the Universal Service Fund program in light of infrastructure grants, and dismissed a complaint against Dagobah Systems, Inc. The Natural Gas Department entered Progression Order No. 90 to establish quarterly assessments for jurisdictional utilities and approved assessment orders related to a general rate increase application for Black Hills Nebraska Gas, LLC and a merger application involving NorthWestern Energy. The Transportation Department granted the reinstatement of a license for NCM Transport Co., Inc. d/b/a Budget Movers and addressed non-compliance issues for certain carriers. Legislative discussions resulted in motions to remain neutral on LB 830 and to support LB 1162 with testimony. General Administration approved travel for an Executive Director for OJT Training and another for MP&E Fundamentals I Training.

The meeting addressed various proceedings across several departments. The Communications Department saw the granting of an application for a transfer of control (C-5670), the opening of a docket to review the merger impact between Windstream Parent, Inc. and Uniti Group Inc. (C-5682/PI-257), and the granting of several extension requests for broadband development projects under the Capital Projects Funds (CPF-1 and CPF-2 cases). The State 911 Department saw the entry of an Order Regarding Audit Waiver Requests (911-018/ PI-117). The Natural Gas Department entered assessment orders concerning general monitoring of the industry and applications for rate increases and a merger (NG-101.1, NG-101.2, NG-124, NG-128). The Housing & Recreational Vehicle Department set seal fees for Manufactured Home and Modular Housing Programs, set fees for the Recreational Vehicle Program, and closed a docket related to housing affordability (MANF-18, MODF-19/PI-001, MODF-20, RVF-19). The Transportation Department addressed several applications, including granting authority to Statewide Taxi Service LLC and Evans Transportation, LLC, scheduling a hearing for L.E. Services, and entering orders of pending dismissal for other applications. Finally, the Grain Department granted a Grain Warehouse License (GW-2204). General administration actions included entering into a contract with Public Safety Network Americas for the 911Logix platform and approving the Commission Meeting minutes for September and October 2025, as well as the 2026 Commission Meeting schedule.

The regular public meeting of the Commissioners addressed several agenda items. In Transportation Department matters, a motion passed to enter an Order to dismiss, in part, regarding non-compliant carriers. For Legislative items, the Commission voted to remain neutral on pending legislation LB 830 and to support and provide testimony for bill LB 982. General Administration included approving travel requests for Commissioner Tim Schram to attend the USAC quarterly board meeting, Commissioner Christian Mirch to attend the NARUC Winter Policy Summit, staff member Shana Knutson to attend the NARUC Winter Policy Summit, and staff member Michaela Johnson to attend the ESRI Conference. Additionally, approvals were granted for Housing & Recreational Vehicle Department staff and Grain Warehouse & Dealer Department staff travel for necessary inspections during the 2026 calendar year.

The regular public meeting addressed numerous docketed proceedings across various departments. The Communications Department handled matters including the Precision Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program and applications for expanding Eligible Telecommunications Carrier designations, alongside establishing guidelines for the Nebraska Universal Service Fund and granting audit extension requests. The Natural Gas Department reviewed an application for constructing an electric transmission line and reported on consumer complaints. The Transportation Department addressed applications for contract and common carrier authority in passenger transportation and initiated an investigation into whether pedal pubs qualify as Commission-regulated motor carriers. The Grain Department reported on license renewals and cancellations. Discussions on pending legislation included motions to monitor or support specific bills (LB 771, LB 830, LB 888, LB 894, LB 895).