Committee creates study to review Telecommunications Relay Service fund

The House Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Committee voted to approve House Resolution 590, establishing a study committee to review the state's Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) fund and the programs it supports.

Representative Dickey introduced the resolution and said the TRS fund, created by the General Assembly in 1990, supports a relay service and three additional programs: a telecommunications equipment program, a hearing-aid program, and services that provide audible versions of newspapers and magazines for people who are blind. "It's been 35 years since this phone was created," the Public Service Commission's telecommunications director later told the committee, noting changes in technology such as cell phones, FaceTime and texting.

Leon Bowles, director of telecommunications at the Public Service Commission, told the committee that overall funding for the four programs is approximately $2,000,000 per year, and the relay component is about $500,000 annually. He said use of the relay component has fallen roughly 90% over the last decade and recommended a study to determine whether the program mix and funding remain appropriate. "We believe it makes sense for the house to do a study committee in order to hear from the stakeholders, community, and the deaf and hard of hearing community about what services and programs should continue to be funded and potentially where new services should be added," Bowles said.

Representative Martin recalled legislative work in the early 2000s that expanded services for people with visual impairments and voiced support for reviewing the program to ensure it continues to meet needs. Committee members emphasized that the resolution establishes a study only; it does not change funding or program eligibility by itself.

The committee adopted the resolution by voice vote after a brief discussion; the chair called for ayes and the motion passed. Members said they expect the study to solicit input from the Public Service Commission, stakeholders in the deaf and hard of hearing community, and other interested parties.

Clarifying details included that the TRS assessment is currently 11 cents per landline, that the TRS fund raises a couple of million dollars a year in total for the four programs, and that the relic (relay) service funding component is about $500,000 annually. The presenters said the dramatic decline in relay use is driven by newer technologies that allow real-time text or video communication.

The committee did not set implementation steps beyond forming the study committee and requested that stakeholders be invited to testify in the study process.