# Georgia HB 998: Public utilities; authorize certain Tier 2 local exchange companies to elect to become subject to rate of return regulation

Georgia HB 998, Public utilities; authorize certain Tier 2 local exchange companies to elect to become subject to rate of return regulation, is a 2025-2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Beth Camp (Republican), Chuck Efstration (Republican), Rick Jasperse (Republican) and 3 others; status signed, last action 2026-07-01 (Effective Date) (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-HB998-2025-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Georgia HB 998
- State: Georgia
- Session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
- Title: Public utilities; authorize certain Tier 2 local exchange companies to elect to become subject to rate of return regulation
- Status: signed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-15
- Last action: 2026-07-01, Effective Date
- Sponsors: Beth Camp (Republican), Chuck Efstration (Republican), Rick Jasperse (Republican), Rob Leverett (Republican), Alan Powell (Republican), Al Williams (Democrat)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Subjects: Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Economic Development and Tourism, General Bill
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 4 (273 yes, 45 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 3

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Phone companies gain longer reimbursement eligibility: benefit, low. The law removes the former 20-year limit on a type of Universal Access Fund reimbursement for eligible Tier 2 phone companies. Companies can receive these payments beyond 20 years; other reimbursement requirements still apply. This change sets no new payment amount.
- Phone companies face caps and reimbursement deadlines: cost, low. Universal Access Fund payments for approved costs incurred on or after July 1, 2026 face a $50 million yearly cap. The commission must cut payments proportionally when approved totals exceed the cap. Costs incurred before July 1, 2026 remain outside the cap, even when paid later. Companies seeking…
- Phone companies gain choices with switching limits: mixed, low. Eligible Tier 2 local phone companies under alternative regulation get a one-time choice of rate-of-return regulation by August 1, 2026. They must certify that choice to the Georgia Public Service Commission and provide basic local service upon reasonable request. They cannot have direct or indirec…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Beth Camp (Republican), House
- Sponsor: Chuck Efstration (Republican), House
- Sponsor: Rick Jasperse (Republican), House
- Sponsor: Rob Leverett (Republican), House
- Sponsor: Alan Powell (Republican), House
- Sponsor: Al Williams (Democrat), House
- Cosponsor: Max Burns (Republican), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-03-18 | Senate | PASSAGE | pass | 50 | 2 | 3 |
| 2026-03-18 | Senate | MOTION FOR THE PREVIOUS QUESTION | pass | 31 | 20 | 5 |
| 2026-03-18 | Senate | SHALL THE RULING OF THE CHAIR BE SUSTAINED | pass | 31 | 21 | 4 |
| 2026-02-12 | House | PASSAGE | pass | 161 | 2 | 7 |

## Actions (15)

- 2026-07-01: Effective Date
- 2026-05-12: House Date Signed by Governor (House)
- 2026-05-12: Act 636
- 2026-04-06: House Sent to Governor (House)
- 2026-03-18: Senate Third Read (Senate)
- 2026-03-18: Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
- 2026-03-16: Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
- 2026-03-12: Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)
- 2026-02-17: Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
- 2026-02-12: House Third Readers (House)
- 2026-02-12: House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
- 2026-01-28: House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
- 2026-01-27: House Second Readers (House)
- 2026-01-16: House First Readers (House)
- 2026-01-15: House Hopper (House)

## Bill text

- HB 998/AP* (v10): [PDF](https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/246483)

## Related bills

- SB 160: Reckless Stunt Driving; a motor vehicle involved in a second offense of reckless stunt driving; replace the forfeiture penalty (signed)
- SB 384: Motor Vehicle; optional five-year motor vehicle registration and revalidation for certain motor vehicles; provide (signed)
- SB 76: License Plates; specialty license plate benefitting the Georgia Veterans Service Foundation; establish (signed)
- SB 406: "Georgia Property Owners' Bill of Rights Act"; enact (signed)
- HB 1391: Specialty license plates; honor public safety officers; establish (signed)
- HB 1344: Georgia Insurance Affordability and Claims Integrity Act; enact (signed)

## Sources
- [HB 998/AP* (v10) (PDF)](https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/246483)

## Related
- [SB 160: Reckless Stunt Driving; a motor vehicle involved in a second offense of reckles…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-SB160-2025-2026)
- [SB 384: Motor Vehicle; optional five-year motor vehicle registration and revalidation f…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-SB384-2025-2026)
- [SB 76: License Plates; specialty license plate benefitting the Georgia Veterans Servic…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-SB76-2025-2026)
- [SB 406: "Georgia Property Owners' Bill of Rights Act"; enact](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-SB406-2025-2026)
- [HB 1391: Specialty license plates; honor public safety officers; establish](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-HB1391-2025-2026)
- [HB 1344: Georgia Insurance Affordability and Claims Integrity Act; enact](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-HB1344-2025-2026)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/GA-HB998-2025-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).