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HB 435

Enact the Right to Know Act

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kellie Deeter and 4 co-sponsors

Modernize TASA to cover specialized tech (mobile devices, software) for deaf/Hard of Hearing users, with income-based eligibility and revised funding, governance, and definitions.

Referred to committee
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Bill Summary · HB 435

Summary — HB 435 (Telecommunications Access System Act modernization)

Note: Although the bill file is labeled “HB 435” and appears in several legislative tracks, the substantive committee analyses and fiscal notes provided describe changes to Florida’s Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991 (TASA). This summary reflects the provisions in the committee reports and fiscal notes for CS/HB 435 (companion to CS/CS/SB 344).

Main purpose

Modernize TASA to reflect current communications technology and to expand the types of equipment and services provided to persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, have a speech impairment, or are deafblind so they can access telecommunications and related services.

Key provisions and changes

  • Expanded equipment and services:
    • TASA must provide for purchase/distribution of “specialized communications technology,” including mobile devices, tablet computers, software, and other applications that enable communications access (Section 3).
  • Income-based eligibility for certain technology:
    • The Public Service Commission (PSC) must set eligibility rules based on income and participation in other means-tested programs.
    • For specialized communications technology, household income eligibility is defined as not less than 200% and not more than 300% of the federal poverty level (i.e., 2× to 3× FPL). (Eligibility rules cannot bar access where the device has de minimis value; the income test does not apply to specialized devices that use standard telephone lines.)
  • Funding / surcharge changes:
    • Lowers the maximum monthly surcharge PSC may set to fund TASA from $0.25 per line to $0.15 per line.
    • Freezes the current surcharge (then $0.08 per line per month) and prohibits increasing it until TASA reserve funds are depleted.
    • Removes a statutory requirement that local exchange providers collect an additional five-cent per-line surcharge.
  • Administration and distribution:
    • Requires the TASA administrator to license specialized communications technology and aligns administrative functions with the updated types of equipment (Section 4).
    • Expands allowable certifiers to include regional distribution center directors (for attesting to a person’s impairment).
    • Adds definitions and roles: commercial mobile radio service (CMRS), communications service, deaf service center, regional distribution center, and related director roles.
  • Advisory Committee and terminology:
    • Revises the TASA Advisory Committee composition to include representatives recommended by organizations for the deaf, persons with hearing loss, the deafblind, persons with speech impairment, the elderly, relay service distribution centers, and communications service providers (Section 5).
    • Updates statutory findings, intent, and disability-related terminology to reflect modernization and to allow access to future technologies.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, have speech impairments, or are deafblind — particularly those who qualify under the new income rules.
  • Administrative entities: Public Service Commission; TASA administrator; deaf service centers and regional distribution centers; certified distribution center directors.
  • Telecommunications providers: local exchange carriers (surcharge changes affect collection authority and possible funding);
  • Advisory organizations and communications service providers (new committee representation).

Fiscal impact and timeline/ procedural notes

  • Fiscal notes: Two Legislative fiscal notes prepared by the House analyst (Jennifer Farish) state the bill “would not directly affect state or local funding” as introduced and as passed the House. However, the committee final bill analyses note the bill “will have a negative impact on state government expenditures by expanding authorized expenditures from the TASA reserve fund” because the program can fund more equipment.
  • Action history (high level): The bill was reported favorably out of Commerce and related committees, passed the House as CS/HB 435 (companion CS/CS/SB 344). The final House analysis indicates the companion bill passed and shows “Governor’s Action: Approved” (per the committee report). (Refer to official legislative journals for final enactment chapter number and effective date.)

Practical effect

If enacted as described, the law would broaden the kinds of devices and software available through TASA, limit and temporarily freeze the surcharge funding mechanism while reserves exist, impose income-based eligibility for certain modern devices (200–300% FPL), and update program governance and definitions to reflect mobile, VoIP, and other contemporary communications services.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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