Georgia Legislature approves Rep. Leverett’s telecommunication reform bill for Tier 2 firms

The Georgia State House reports that a new bill by State Rep. Rob Leverett has been passed, updating regulations for Tier 2 telecommunications companies by revising options for regulation and removing outdated sections. Details can be found at the Georgia State House.

The measure received final passage on Wednesday, March 18, with a House vote of 161-2 and a Senate vote of 50-2.

Filed as HB998 on Thursday, Jan. 15, during the 2026 session of the 158th General Assembly, the measure is titled: ’Public utilities; authorize certain Tier 2 local exchange companies to elect to become subject to rate of return regulation.’

Below is a summary based on the full bill text, providing clarification of its contents.

This legislation modernizes Georgia’s telecommunication laws to grant Tier 2 local exchange companies updated choices and deadlines for regulatory structures. It enables Tier 2 providers that previously selected alternative regulation to opt for rate of return regulation, provided they notify the Public Service Commission by August 1, 2026. The bill also prohibits switching back to alternative regulation before August 1, 2031. Additionally, it eliminates outdated provisions linked to a 2010 deadline and removes the 20-year limit on Universal Access Fund distributions for Tier 2 carriers that are subject to rate of return regulation and whose justified costs exceed their regulated service prices.

In the House, 71 Democrats joined 90 Republicans to support the proposal, with two Republicans in opposition.

On the Senate side, 20 Democrats and 30 Republicans voted for the measure, while one Democrat and one Republican voted no.

Rep. Beth Camp (Republican-135th), Rep. Chuck Efstration (Republican-104th), Rep. Rick Jasperse (Republican-11th), and three other lawmakers co-sponsored this bill.

Leverett earned his BA from Dartmouth College in 1986 and later received a JD from the University of Georgia.

Leverett, a Republican, was elected to represent Georgia’s 123rd House District in 2023, succeeding former representative Mark Newton.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed the bill into law on Tuesday, May 12.

The legislative process in Georgia starts when a legislator, sometimes prompted by a constituent, collaborates with Legislative Counsel to craft a bill. After submission to the House Clerk or Senate Secretary, it’s read for the first time and assigned to a committee, where much of the review takes place. Committee approval sends the bill to the floor for further reading, discussion, and voting. If both chambers approve—sometimes using a conference committee to resolve differences—the bill goes to the governor, who has six days during session or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die) to sign, veto, or let the bill become law without signature. The Georgia General Assembly meets for a 40-day session each year starting the second Monday in January.

Information in this article was provided by the Georgia State House. Access the original source data here.