20260317Decision Memo.pdf

DECISION MEMORANDUM
TO: COMMISSIONER LODGE
COMMISSIONER HAMMOND
COMMISSIONER HARDIE
COMMISSION SECRETARY
COMMISSION STAFF
LEGAL
FROM: ALLISON MOORE, COMMISSION STAFF
ERIKA K. MELANSON,DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
DATE: MARCH 17, 2026
RE: 2025 IDAHO TELECOMMUNICATIONS RELAY SERVICE (ITRS)
ANNUAL REPORT; CASE NO. GNR-T-26-02.
On February 17, 2026, the Administrator ("Administrator") of the Idaho
Telecommunication Relay Service ("TRS" or "Relay") filed the 2025 Annual Report ("Report")
and 2026 TRS Budget ("Budget") recommendations with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission
("Commission"). The Administrator's report and upcoming budget are submitted to the
Commission annually.
BACKGROUND
In 1992, the Idaho Legislature established the Telecommunications Relay Service Act
("Idaho TRS Act") in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act. TRS enables citizens
with a hearing or speech-impairments to engage in telephone communications "in a manner
functionally equivalent to that of individuals without hearing loss or speech impairments." Idaho
Code § 61-1301.
Under the Idaho TRS Act, all telephone corporations providing local or long-distance
service (not including wireless or VoIP services) must provide TRS as stated in the program and
pay into the TRS Fund. Pursuant to TRS Rule 204, the Commission sets the TRS funding levels
each year based upon the Annual Report. IDAPA 31.46.02.204.
In 2022,the Idaho TRS went through the Request for Proposal ("RFP")process to select a
service provider. Report at 4. There is currently only one service provider for Captioned
Telephone Relay Service, which is Hamiliton Relay, and two providers for Telecommunications
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Relay Services, Hamilton Relay and T-Mobile. Id. In September 2025, the statue required
Advisory Committee of the Telephone Industry to meet and approved a two-year extension of the
contract with Hamilton Relay. The current contract is set to expire on November 30, 2027. Id.
STAFF ANALYSIS
Overall, during 2025, the Administrator reported that there were 1,022 calls completed,
which is an increase from 976 in 2024. Id. at 3. The usage of TRS minutes decreased by .04 %
or about 32 minutes to 10,386.98 minutes. Id. Caption Telephone Relay Service ("CTRS") call
volume decreased by approximately 62% in 2025. Id. However, the Speech to Speech ("STS")
and Spanish calls processed by Idaho Relay Center slightly increased over the last year. Id.
The Average Speed of Answer ("ASA") is a key performance indicator for TRS and
CapTel and shows how long a call takes to be answered by a Communication Assistant. The goal
is for a call to CTRS and TRS to be answered within 10 seconds. Id. The ASA for 2025 was
100%of CTRS calls and 97.67%of TRS calls were answered in 10 seconds or less. Id. The ASA
was within the contract requirements. Id.
In 2025 the average monthly number of local exchange telephone lines reported decreased
by .0006%, from 82,136 in 2024 to 82,183 in 2025. Id. at 2. The TRS fund is supported by
assessments on local exchange telephone service (residential and business) access lines and on
billed intrastate long-distance minutes. The Administrator reported that the total number of
intrastate long-distance minutes reported by telephone companies in 2025 increased by 15% from
59,772,789 in 2024 to 69,878,570 in 2025. Id. The Administrator noted that the increase was
affected due to one company submitting fifteen months of reports and payments in quarter four for
2024 and 2025. Id. It should be noted that there were eighty-three telecommunication companies
that submitted zero activity reports for 2025. Id.
The total revenues collected by the TRS fund in 2025 totaled $138,913.09. Id. at 1.
Overall,local exchange services contributed$69,034.52 and MTS/WATS contributed$69,878.57.
Id. In Commission Order No. 36590, the per-line and per-long-distance minute assessments for
2025 were set to $0.07 and$0.001, which is also approved for 2024. Id. at 5.
2025 Expenses
In 2025, the main expenses listed in the Report were for Hamilton Relay services and
administrative fees and expenses. The total disbursements from the TRS fund to Hamilton Relay
for services used in 2025 includes $65,000.04 for digital transition outreach services and
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$36,626.22 for TRS, CTRS, and STS, illustrated in Table 1. Id. at 2. There was an increase of
$1,622.22 in the disbursement to Hamilton for TRS, CTRS and STS. Additionally, the fund paid
a total of$39,166 for administrative fees and expenses in 2025. Id. at 4. Overall, the fund's 2025
quarter I balance was $48,345.49 and ending balance in quarter four was $46, 244.42. Id.
Table No. 1: DISBURSEMENTS TO HAMILTON RELAY
2024 2025
Outreach $ 65,000.04 $ 65,000.04
TRS, CTRS, and STS $ 35,004.00 $ 36,626.22
TOTAL $100,004.04 $ 101,626.26
Proposed 2025 Budget and Funding Recommendations
The contribution rates that were established in Order No. 36179 where $0.07 per local
exchange line and $0.001 per MTS/WATS minute. Unlike in previous years, the Administrator
did not provide options or propose any rate changes. The Administrator recommended that the
Commission maintain the current rates for 2026. Id. at 5. If the proposed rates remain the same
the revenue would approximately be $108,000 with a year end fund balance of$26,000-$30,000.
Id. The projected revenue does not include the carryover of the Q4 balance of$46,244.42. The
estimated budget for 2026 is $124,497 and includes the payouts to Hamilton Relay and
administration fees and expenses. Id. Between the carryover from 2025 and the proposed
estimated revenue,the fund should be fully funded and have a positive balance at the end of 2026.
Staff recommends maintaining the current contribution rates.
STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION
Staff has reviewed the 2025 TRS Annual Report and agrees with Administrator's
recommendation to maintain the LEC line rate at $0.07 per local exchange carrier line and the
MTS/WATS rate at$0.001 per long-distance minute. The projected revenue along with the current
fund balance should be sufficient, to meet the 2026 expenses.
COMMISSION DECISION
1. Does the Commission accept the Administrator's recommendation to maintain the
present rates of contribution to Idaho TRS at$0.07 per access line per month and keep the current
long-distance rate at$0.001 per intrastate MTS/WATS minute unchanged?
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2. Does the Commission accept the Administrator's Annual Report and adopt the
Administrator's Budget for 2026?
""'Allison Moore
Commission Staff
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