UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND ESTABLISHED

The commission shall adopt and enforce rules requiring local exchange companies to establish a universal service fund to: (1) assist telecommunications providers in providing basic local telecommunications service at reasonable rates in high cost rural areas under two plans: (A) the Texas High Cost Universal Service Plan (16 T.A.C. Section 26.403); and (B) the Small and Rural Incumbent Local Exchange Company Universal Service Plan (16 T.A.C. Section 26.404); (2) reimburse the telecommunications carrier that provides the statewide telecommunications relay access service under Subchapter D; (3) finance the specialized telecommunications assistance program established under Subchapter E; (4) reimburse the department and the commission for costs incurred in implementing this chapter and Chapter 57; (5) reimburse a telecommunications carrier providing lifeline service as provided by 47 C.F.R. Part 54, Subpart E, as amended; (6) finance the implementation and administration of the identification process under Section 17.007 for telecommunications services; (7) reimburse a designated provider under Subchapter F; (8) reimburse a successor utility under Subchapter G; and (9) finance the program established under Subchapter H.