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Committee approves technical fixes to Telecommunications Access Program statute
Summary
The committee passed HB1201, a set of technical corrections to the Telecommunications Access Program that clarifies terminology ("deaf or hard of hearing"), imports a prepaid wireless definition, and tightens the threshold for when agency staff must petition the Public Service Commission to pause surcharge collection.
The Senate Insurance & Commerce Committee advanced House Bill 1201, which makes three technical clarifications to the Telecommunications Access Program administered by Arkansas Rehabilitation Services.
Charles Lyford, general counsel for Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, said the bill does not change program eligibility or equipment but updates language and accounting instructions: it replaces the older term "hearing impaired" with "deaf or hard of hearing," imports a statutory definition for "prepaid wireless telecommunications service" (relevant because prepaid carriers are exempt from the surcharge that funds the program), and clarifies the test for when agency staff must petition the Public Service Commission to pause surcharge collection.
Lyford provided the committee with recent fiscal figures for context: as of December, revenues were approximately $198,850.18 and expenditures about $202,915, with the program operating on a prior fund balance. Committee members asked about the fund balance and likelihood of needing to suspend surcharge collection; Lyford said the agency follows the administrative PSC petition process when necessary.
Committee members had no additional concerns and the bill was moved and approved to be reported out of committee.
