HB 2391 Summary

• Clarifies that the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) may use funds from the Universal Service Fund to provide free telephonic access to time-sensitive information for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, including state and local government information, emergency alerts, job opportunities, and newspapers.

• Authorizes the PUC to determine the percentage of telecommunications fees that must be deposited into the Universal Service Fund to support this program for individuals with print disabilities.

• Provides legislative authorization and budget authority for the PUC to implement a print disability telecommunications access program that would complement existing services administered by the Department of Human Services.

• Shifts funding responsibility from the public utilities commission special fund (supported by electric ratepayer surcharges) to telecommunications carriers who would contribute directly through the Universal Service Fund mechanism.