Public Utilities Regulatory Authority sets enhanced 9-1-1 monthly fee at $0.69 per line for fiscal 2026

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority on Wednesday adopted a decision setting the single-line monthly enhanced 9-1-1 assessment at $0.69 for fiscal year 2026, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

Authority staff presenter Skorzynski told the panel the fee schedule was calculated “pursuant to Section sixteen-two 56 gs of the General Statutes of Connecticut” and is based on the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s budget and the number of active subscriber lines as of Jan. 1, 2025. "I recommend to the panel for adoption, and thank you," Skorzynski said.

The authority said it relied on DESPP’s filed operating budget for fiscal 2026, $38,434,300.44, and line-count data obtained through interrogatories to wireline, wireless and VoIP providers to determine the per-line fee. The authority’s decision sets a single-line monthly assessment of $0.69. Under a progressive wireline schedule prescribed in agency regulation, subscribers with multiple wireline lines will see per-line charges that range from $0.69 down to $0.14 depending on the number of active lines; wireless services are assessed the single-line rate of $0.69 per active wireless line regardless of the number of lines.

The authority directed wireline, wireless, VoIP and coin/operator providers to implement the monthly fee beginning July 1, 2025, and to file quarterly payment reports beginning with the third quarter of 2025 (report due no later than Oct. 27, 2025) and quarterly thereafter. Commissioners Michael Karen, David Arconti and Chair Marissa Gillette registered their votes in favor during a roll call and the decision was adopted.

Why this matters: the assessment funds Connecticut’s enhanced 9-1-1 program, including the statewide emergency telecommunications system, the 9-1-1 database and network systems, regional emergency telecommunication centers, public service answering points for cities over 40,000, state police 9-1-1 telecommunications and telecommunicator certification training.

Discussion versus action: staff presented the calculation and recommendation; the authority then moved, seconded and adopted the decision in a formal roll-call vote. The motion and second were spoken on the record but the transcript did not identify the mover or seconder by name.