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_ 355 Item Details($) Appropriations($) ITEM 270. First Year Second Year First Year Second Year FY2025 FY2026 FY2025 FY2026 C.1. Notwithstanding § 58.1-662 of the Code of Virginia, prior to the distribution of monies from the Communications Sales and Use Tax Trust Fund to counties, cities and towns, there shall be distributed monies in the fund to pay for the Technology Assistance Program. This requirement shall not change any other distributions required by law from the Communications Sales and Use Tax Trust Fund. 2. Out of this appropriation, $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year from special funds shall be used for the Technology Assistance Program. D. Out of this appropriation, $40,000 the first year and $40,000 the second year from the general fund shall be used to contract with a provider for the provision of equipment distribution and community services to deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the southwest Virginia region. E. Out of this appropriation, $238,200 the first year and $238,200 the second year from the general fund shall be used to support the cost of a deaf mentor program for children. F.1. The Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DDHH) shall report on the anticipated statewide transition to Real-Time Text (RTT) and associated forms of digital telecommunication technology as related to relay services. The report shall include information on: (i) the features of RTT and any other digital telecommunication technology that is being considered for use as related to statewide relay services; (ii) the estimated cost for the Commonwealth to transition from analog to digital relay services and an accompanying explanation of the methodology used for the cost estimate; (iii) a six-year projection of anticipated operating costs for a statewide digital relay platform and an accompanying explanation of the methodology used for the cost estimate; (iv) a proposed timeline for transitioning from analog to digital relay services and an operationalization plan for the agency's preferred digital relay platform; (v) a description of any potential legislative impacts or proposed changes associated with a transition to digital relay services; (vi) a description of any potential impact (including cost) to existing DDHH programming, including the Technology Assistance Program; and (vii) a description of any potential impact (including cost) to relay service providers, users, state agencies, or relevant third parties resulting from a transition to digital relay services. The department shall submit the report with all requested information by September 15, 2025, to the Director, Department of Planning and Budget and the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees. The department shall not initiate any transition from analog to digital relay services prior to submitting the above report, nor shall they do so without obtaining authorization from the General Assembly. 2. Out of this appropriation, $50,000 the first year from the general fund shall be used to contract with a third party to assist in developing the report on the anticipated statewide transition to RTT and digital relay services as defined in Item 270 F.1. The appropriation in this paragraph shall be used to fulfill contract costs associated with developing the report and shall not be used for any other purpose. The Director, Department of Planning and Budget, shall unallot this appropriation until DDHH provides documentation of contract costs, and shall only allot the amount needed to satisfy the contract. Any unexpended balance in this paragraph at year end intended to pay remaining contract costs shall not revert to the general fund but shall be carried forward to the subsequent fiscal year. Total for Department for the Deaf and Hard-Of- Hearing $3,651,778 $3,701,778 $3,651,778 $3,726,322 General Fund Positions 8.37 8.37 9.37 Nongeneral Fund Positions 2.63 2.63 Position Level 11.00 11.00 12.00 Fund Sources: General $1,394,496 $1,444,496 $1,394,496 $1,469,040 Special $2,081,782 $2,081,782 Federal Trust $175,500 $175,500