(a) Except as further provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, all funds remaining in the Universal Service Fund as of March 20, 1992, which are not used for qualifying hardship assistance filings shall be used solely for the purpose of funding awards by the governing board and the other distance learning and telemedicine purposes provided under this part. Qualifying hardship assistance filings are those hardship assistance filings approved by the Public Service Commission pursuant to Public Service Commission Docket No. 3921-U before March 20, 1992, which result in payments to the successful applicant for a period not to exceed two years from the date of filing.

(b) For a period of three years after March 20, 1992, an amount not to exceed $23 million may be used from the Universal Service Fund for the purpose of offsetting transitional expenses and costs associated with the 16 mile calling radius as permitted under subsection (g) of Code Section 46-2-25.2. The Georgia Technology Authority, as sole administrator of the Universal Service Fund, is authorized to make disbursements from the Universal Service Fund for such purposes upon proper certification of same by the Public Service Commission. Any portion of the $23 million not so disbursed by the Georgia Technology Authority for said purposes within three years after March 20, 1992, shall become available solely for the purpose of funding awards by the governing board and the other distance learning and telemedicine purposes provided for in this part.