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Nebraska Telecommunications Relay Service Advisory Committee

General Information
  • Formal Name:
    Nebraska Telecommunications Relay Service Advisory Committee
  • Contact Person:
    Contact person: Cullen Robbins, Director-Communications Department, Public Service Commission, PO Box 94927, Lincoln, NE 68509-4927. Phone 402-471-0230 and Steve Stovall, Staff Accountant-Communications Department, Public Service Commission.
  • Purpose:
    To provide guidance for the development, monitoring, and promotion of state-wide telecommunications relay and specialized telecommunications equipment program services in Nebraska. Review the surcharge and rules and regulations established by the Public Service Commission.
  • How Many Affectable:
    365,268. Source: John Hopkins Medicine. (http:www.hopkinsmedicine.orgnewsmediareleasesoneinfiveamericanshashearingloss). Other sources: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) (https:www.nidcd.nih.gov)
  • How Many Served:
    How many served (Traditional Relay-Total Calls (Session-based): 34,966 relay calls for fiscal year 2016-17; 29,349 for fiscal year 2017-18, 23,495 for fiscal year 2018-19; and 27,698 for fiscal year 2019-20.
  • Year Created:
    1991
  • Year Active:
    1991
  • Sunset Date:
    NA
Authorization
  • Authorization Citation:
    86-301 to 86-315 with Committee authorization referenced in 86-315.
  • Parent Agency:
    Public Service Agency (Agency 14).
Memberships and Meetings
  • Number Of Members:
    7
  • Who Appoints:
    Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing-Full commission members.
  • Legislative Approval:
    No.
  • Qualifications Of Members:
    One member shall be a deaf person; one member shall be a deaf or hard of hearing person; one member shall be a speech-impaired person; one member shall represent the Public Service Commission; one member shall represent the telephone industry; one member shall represent the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; and one member shall represent the public.
  • Per Diem:
    No.
  • Expense Reimbursement:
    Yes, personal vehicle mileage for out of town travel for committee members and cost of interpreters at committee meetings.
  • Term Length:
    3 years with no term limits.
  • Terms Rotate or Expire At Once:
    Terms Rotate
Meetings Required In:
  • Required FY 17-18:
    1
  • Held FY 17-18:
    1
  • Required FY 18-19:
    1
  • Held FY 18-19:
    1
  • Required FY 19-20:
    1
  • Held FY 19-20:
    1
Operations
  • Support Staff:
    Yes.
  • Shared or Separate:
    Separate.
  • FY 17-18 Budget:
    $0.00
  • FY 18-19 Budget:
    $0.00
  • FY 19-20 Budget:
    $0.00
  • Other Funding Sources:
    None.
  • Spending Authority:
    None.
Accomplishments
  • Since July 1, 2016:
    The Advisory Committee in the NovemberDecember 2018 timeframe provided guidance on proposing services, terms and conditions to facilitate the selection of a new relay provider beginning July 1, 2019. Two committee members were chosen to represent hard of hearing individuals in analyzing bids for the new contractor. The committee also continues to provide advice and direction in making further improvements to this program. The Public Service Commission continues to work with the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in receiving, assisting and reviewing applicants for the NSTEP program. The TRS Advisory Committee provides continuing advice regarding policies and procedures for the administration of the NSTEP program as well as issues affecting quality of service for the relay center. The Commission works with this committee in determining the surcharge necessary to fund the relay service and the NSTEP voucher program. This committee also has provided advice on expanding the NSTEP program to include wireless devices. As of July of 2020 the Commission has business relationships with Sprint, Verizon and NE Colorado Cellular (dba Viaero Wireless) and U.S. Cellular.