Bill would let state set a $1 cap on wireless 9‑1‑1 surcharge; supporters say it relieves counties, opponents cite consumer burden

Sen. Myron Dorn introduced LB576, a bill to equalize wireless 9‑1‑1 surcharges among Nebraska counties and authorize the Nebraska Public Service Commission to set a cap of up to $1 per wireless line. "First, the bill makes the rate equal among all the counties with a maximum rate of a dollar," Dorn said.

Supporters — including the Nebraska Association of County Officials and local sheriffs and fire and EMS leaders — said declining landline surcharges and rising PSAP operating costs have shifted an increasing share of costs to local property taxpayers. John Cannon, executive director of the Nebraska Association of County Officials, described the size and resource constraints of some rural PSAPs and said travel and tourism can significantly increase call volumes in small counties: "Region 26... that area that's the size of the state of Connecticut has 8 squad cars and 3 dispatchers," Cannon said.

First‑responder and volunteer organizations urged more stable statewide funding for emergency dispatch. Hamilton County Sheriff Jeremy McCoy gave detailed local figures showing rising software and system maintenance costs and wage pressures that have increased his center’s annual cost by roughly $98,000 since 2022; he said current landline fee collections cover only a fraction of his center’s budget.

Industry opposition came from CTIA, which said Nebraska already ranks among the highest states for wireless taxes and fees and urged using state general funds rather than raising flat user charges. CTIA’s representative noted recent surcharge increases and said the proposed change would be regressive for low‑income customers.

Tim Schram of the Public Service Commission testified neutrally about the statewide next‑generation 9‑1‑1 transition and the commission’s statutory role. He said all 67 PSAPs are now connected to the state’s next‑generation 9‑1‑1 system and that current allocations allow the commission to distribute more than $5.8 million to PSAPs for operations in the current fiscal year. The commission’s fiscal note estimated that bringing Douglas County and others to parity and increasing the cap could add roughly $1.2 million to the fund if the commission chose to increase the rate.

No committee vote was taken; members asked questions about regressivity, how rates have been set historically, and whether the cap would be used immediately or only as an option for the commission.