84R8589 DDT-F
By: Naishtat H.B. No. 1768
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the use of the universal service fund to provide
Internet service to certain persons with an impairment of hearing.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 56.021, Utilities Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 56.021. UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND ESTABLISHED. The
commission shall adopt and enforce rules requiring local exchange
companies to establish a universal service fund to:
(1) assist telecommunications providers in providing
basic local telecommunications service at reasonable rates in high
cost rural areas under two plans:
(A) the Texas High Cost Universal Service Plan
(16 T.A.C. Section 26.403); and
(B) the Small and Rural Incumbent Local Exchange
Company Universal Service Plan (16 T.A.C. Section 26.404);
(2) reimburse the telecommunications carrier that
provides the statewide telecommunications relay access service
under Subchapter D;
(3) finance the specialized telecommunications
assistance program established under Subchapter E;
(4) reimburse the department and the commission for
costs incurred in implementing this chapter and Chapter 57;
(5) reimburse a telecommunications carrier providing
lifeline service as provided by 47 C.F.R. Part 54, Subpart E, as
amended;
(6) finance the implementation and administration of
an integrated eligibility process created under Section 17.007 for
customer service discounts relating to telecommunications
services, including outreach expenses the commission determines
are reasonable and necessary;
(7) reimburse a designated provider under Subchapter
F;
(8) reimburse a successor utility under Subchapter G;
[and]
(9) finance the program established under Subchapter
H; and
(10) reimburse a telecommunications carrier that
provides Internet service under Subchapter I.
SECTION 2. Chapter 56, Utilities Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter I to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER I. INTERNET SERVICE PROGRAM FOR PERSONS WITH IMPAIRMENT
OF HEARING
Sec. 56.351. INTERNET SERVICE PROGRAM. The commission by
rule shall establish and implement a program to provide from the
universal service fund reimbursement for free or discounted
Internet service provided by a telecommunications carrier to a
person with an impairment of hearing who is eligible for lifeline
service as provided by 47 C.F.R. Part 54, Subpart E, as amended.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.