HR590: HR590 House Study Committee on Telecommunications Services and Programs for the Hearing and Visually Impaired; create

Since 1990, the Georgia Public Service Commission has run a dual party relay service and related programs, such as an audible information access service and equipment distribution, to help deaf, hard of hearing, and blind Georgians communicate. Because newer technology has cut usage of the older relay service over the past 35 years, this resolution sets up a House Study Committee on Telecommunications Services and Programs for the Hearing and Visually Impaired. The committee would have five House members appointed by the Speaker, who also names the chairperson. It would study current programs and needs, hold meetings as needed, and recommend legislation if warranted. Members get standard legislative allowances (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8) for up to five days unless more are approved, funded through the House's existing budget. The committee must file any report before it is abolished on December 1, 2025.

• Creates a five-member House study committee to examine telecommunications services and programs for hearing and visually impaired Georgians.
• Directs the Speaker of the House to appoint all five members and designate a chairperson.
• Authorizes the committee to study current programs, including the dual party relay service, and recommend legislation if needed.
• Sets legislative allowances for members under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at five days unless more are authorized, funded by the House's existing appropriations.
• Requires any adopted findings or recommendations to be filed as a report with the Clerk of the House before the committee ends.
• Abolishes the committee automatically on December 1, 2025.

The resolution affects members of the House of Representatives appointed to the committee, the Public Service Commission, and Georgians who are deaf, hard of hearing, or visually impaired who rely on relay services and related communication programs.

If enacted, the study could shape future legislation on how Georgia funds and delivers relay services, equipment distribution, and other communication aids for residents with hearing, speech, or vision impairments as technology reduces reliance on older systems.

• Paragraph (1) creates the House Study Committee on Telecommunications Services and Programs for the Hearing and Visually Impaired.
• Paragraph (2) sets committee membership at five House members appointed by the Speaker, who also names the chairperson.
• Paragraph (3) charges the committee with studying the relevant conditions, needs, and issues and recommending action or legislation.
• Paragraph (5) ties member allowances to O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, limits paid days to five absent additional authorization, and funds the committee from House appropriations.
• Paragraph (6) requires any report with legislative recommendations to be approved by committee majority vote and filed with the Clerk of the House.
• Paragraph (7) abolishes the committee on December 1, 2025.

1. 2025-04-04House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
2. 2025-03-25House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
3. 2025-03-20House Second Readers (House)
4. 2025-03-18House First Readers (House)
5. 2025-03-13House Hopper (House)

• Robert Dickey (R, HD-134)Primary sponsor
• Don Parsons (R, HD-044)
• Charles Martin (R, HD-049)
• Mary Williams (D, HD-037)
• Victor Anderson (R, HD-010)

• deaf and hard of hearing services
• visually impaired services
• telecommunications relay service
• legislative study committee
• disability accessibility