Vt. Governor Approves 72 Cents Per-Line State USF Surcharge

Vermont will adopt a connections-based contribution plan for the state's USF. Under the bill that Gov. Phil Scott (R) signed Monday, Vermont will assess 72 cents monthly per retail access line, including VoIP and postpaid wireless. Also, the new law adds the 988 mental health hotline to a list of what state USF may support and repeals Vermont taxes on telephone personal property and alternative telephone gross revenue. Before approving H-657 last month, legislators removed a proposed fee structure for communications facilities using state right of way (see 2405100017).