Sec. 12. (a) The InTRAC may periodically apply to the commission for an adjustment in the amount of the monthly surcharge that a LEC must impose on its customers under this chapter. Before applying to the commission for such an adjustment, the InTRAC must do the following:

(1) Employ an independent accounting firm to review its surcharge determinations and to review and audit those accounts of the InTRAC and its members relevant to the surcharge.

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Terms Used In Indiana Code 8-1-2.8-12

  • ADA: refers to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Indiana Code 8-1-2.8-1
  • commission: refers to the Indiana utility regulatory commission. See Indiana Code 8-1-2.8-2
  • dual party relay services: means telecommunications transmission services that provide the ability for a person who has a hearing impairment or speech impairment to engage in communication with a hearing person in a manner that is functionally equivalent to the ability of an individual who does not have a hearing impairment or speech impairment to communicate using voice communication services. See Indiana Code 8-1-2.8-3
  • InTRAC: means a corporation formed under Indiana Code 8-1-2.8-6
  • LEC: refers to any communications service provider (as defined in Indiana Code 8-1-2.8-8
(2) File with the commission in connection with its application a copy of the report prepared by the accounting firm under subdivision (1).

     (b) When the InTRAC applies for an adjustment under this section, the commission may perform audits and tests to verify the calculation of the adjustment. However, the sole purpose of audits and tests by the commission must be to assure that the revenue produced by the surcharge is sufficient to cover the costs incurred by the InTRAC in providing services that meet the requirements imposed on telephone companies by the ADA. The costs incurred by the InTRAC include the following:

(1) Costs for the development, continued operation and improvement of dual party relay services that may include in appropriate circumstances in the sole discretion of the InTRAC providing telecommunications devices to deaf, hard of hearing, and speech impaired persons.

(2) The administrative costs of the InTRAC.

(3) The amount of reasonable reserves necessary to meet future costs.

(4) The amounts paid by the InTRAC to each LEC to compensate the LEC for collection, inquiry, and other administrative services it provides for the surcharges.

(5) The amounts paid by the InTRAC to each LEC to compensate the LEC for the necessary costs incurred by the LEC in facilitating inter-connection with and effecting use of the dual party relay service for their respective customers.

     (c) It is the intent and purpose of this section that the InTRAC shall have available to it at all times sufficient funding to develop, provide for, and maintain dual party relay services that meet or exceed the requirements imposed by the ADA.

As added by P.L.75-1991, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.80-1996, SEC.3; P.L.109-2012, SEC.7.