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FloridaSB 3442025SenateWALLET

Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991

Sponsored By: Ana Maria Rodriguez (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationRegulated IndustriesAppropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General GovernmentFiscal PolicyHouse Calendar

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

More communication tools for people with disabilities

Beginning July 1, 2025, Florida's updated system serves people who are deaf, late-deafened, hard of hearing, speech-impaired, or deafblind. It provides continuous statewide relay service through one provider, with message privacy and charges capped at equivalent voice-service rates. A state-designated nonprofit buys, licenses, distributes, and maintains specialized equipment, including mobile devices, tablets, and apps, and provides training. Recipients need impairment certification from an authorized professional, service-center director, or state or federal agency; professionals must stay within their practice scope. Distribution follows state rules and technology standards, and the administrator must consider contracts with groups serving these residents.

Income limits shape disability technology access

Beginning July 1, 2025, the Public Service Commission must set income eligibility for specialized communications technology. The income cutoff must fall between two and three times the federal poverty level. Eligibility can also be based on participation in another income-based state or federal program. These income limits do not apply to specialized devices using standard phone lines. The requirements also cannot block access to technology with very little value.

Lower phone surcharge cap for subscribers

Beginning July 1, 2025, the law lowers the access-system surcharge cap from $0.25 to $0.15 per basic phone line monthly. Local phone companies collect it on no more than 25 lines per account bill, limiting the monthly charge to $3.75. The Public Service Commission sets the actual charge, reviews it annually, and cannot raise it while excess funds remain. The commission can suspend the surcharge when excess funds exist. Bills must identify the charge initially and at least annually; the administrator can deduct up to 1% of collections for administration.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ana Maria Rodriguez

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Regulated Industries

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 186 • No: 0

House vote • 4/29/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 112 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/2/2025

Fiscal Policy Vote

Yes: 17 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/18/2025

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Vote

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/18/2025

Regulated Industries Vote

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter No. 2025-148

    6/23/2025

  2. Approved by Governor

    6/19/2025

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

    6/18/2025

  4. Ordered enrolled

    4/29/2025Senate

  5. CS passed; YEAS 112, NAYS 0

    4/29/2025House

  6. Read 3rd time

    4/29/2025House

  7. Placed on 3rd reading

    4/29/2025House

  8. Added to Third Reading Calendar

    4/29/2025House

  9. Read 2nd time

    4/29/2025House

  10. 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)

    4/28/2025House

  11. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (4/29/2025)

    4/28/2025House

  12. Bill referred to House Calendar

    4/28/2025House

  13. In Messages

    4/9/2025House

  14. Immediately certified -SJ 392

    4/9/2025Senate

  15. CS passed; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 380

    4/9/2025Senate

  16. Read 3rd time -SJ 380

    4/9/2025Senate

  17. Read 2nd time -SJ 380

    4/9/2025Senate

  18. Placed on Special Order Calendar, 04/09/25

    4/3/2025Senate

  19. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

    4/2/2025Senate

  20. Favorable by- Fiscal Policy; YEAS 17 NAYS 0

    4/2/2025Senate

  21. On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 04/02/25, 9:00 am, 110 Senate Building

    3/28/2025Senate

  22. CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government read 1st time

    3/26/2025Senate

  23. Now in Fiscal Policy

    3/20/2025Senate

  24. Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

    3/20/2025Senate

  25. CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; YEAS 12 NAYS 0

    3/18/2025Senate

Bill Text

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