KRS 278.5499: Funding mechanism for Telecommunications Access Program.

(1) The Public Service Commission shall determine the appropriate funding mechanism

for the Telecommunications Access Program established pursuant to KRS 163.525.

The funding mechanism shall be designed to collect reasonably necessary funds, not

to exceed two cents ($0.02) per access line per month, from subscribers of

telecommunication utilities. The telecommunications industry shall not be required

to absorb the cost of funding the Telecommunications Access Program.

(2) The Public Service Commission shall dis tribute the funds collected from this

funding mechanism to the Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for the

purpose of implementing and operating the Telecommunications Access Program.

The secretary of the cabinet to which the Commission on the Deaf and Hard of

Hearing is attached by statute or executive order shall establish oversight conditions

with the Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to ensure the funds are being

used solely for the purposes consistent with this section and KRS 163.525.

(3) The Public Service Commission, with the advice of the Commission on the Deaf

and Hard of Hearing, shall initiate an investigation, conduct public hearings, and

determine the appropriate funding mechanism for the Telecommunications Access

Program no lat er than January 1, 1995. As part of this determination, the

commission may review the funding mechanism for the telecommunications relay

service pursuant to KRS 278.549. The commission shall consider whether a

telecommunications utility experiences a compe titive disadvantage resulting from

the funding mechanism when compared to other telecommunication utilities.