Amend the proposed CSSB 1441, in Section 5 of the bill, as
follows:
      (1)  Following the period at the end of amended Section
56.151, Utilities Code (page 4, line 11), insert "The agencies may
adopt joint rules that identify devices and services eligible for
vouchers under the program."
      (2)  Strike amended Subsection (a), Section 56.153, Utilities
Code (page 4, lines 19-25), and substitute the following:
      (a)  The Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
shall determine a reasonable price for a basic specialized
telecommunications device or basic specialized services to provide
telephone network access from a home or business <for the deaf (TDD
or TTY)> and distribute to each eligible applicant a voucher that
guarantees payment of that amount to a distributor of new
specialized telecommunications devices described by Section 56.151
or to a provider of services described by that section.
      (3)  At the end of amended Subsection (d), Section 56.153,
Utilities Code (page 5, line 14), strike "voucher." and substitute
the following:  voucher unless, before that date, the recipient
develops a need for a different type of telecommunications device
or service under the program because the recipient's disability
changes or the recipient acquires another disability.
      (4)  At the end of amended Section 56.154, Utilities Code
(page 6, between lines 19 and 20), insert a new Subsection (c) of
that section as follows:
      (c)  Notwithstanding Section 56.153(a), the commission may:
            (1)  delay payment of a voucher to a distributor of
devices or a service provider if there is a dispute regarding the
amount or propriety of the payment or whether the device or service
is appropriate or adequate to meet the needs of the person to whom
the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing issued the
voucher until the dispute is resolved;
            (2)  provide that payment of the voucher is conditioned
on the return of the payment if the device is returned to the
distributor or if the service is not used by the person to whom the
voucher was issued; and
            (3)  provide an alternative dispute resolution process
for resolving a dispute regarding a subject described by
Subdivision (1) or (2).