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Finance committee agrees to split 9-1-1 surcharge funding 50/50 with general fund for state police communications
Summary
The committee voted to modify HB1 and HB2 to split funding for state police radio communications between the 9-1-1 surcharge (agency income) and general funds, adopting an approximate $3.0 million shift over the biennium and deleting section 149 of HB2.
The Finance - Division I committee voted to change how the state funds Department of Safety communications currently paid from the enhanced 9-1-1 surcharge fund. The committee approved a funding source split — approximately 50% agency income (9-1-1 surcharge) and 50% general funds — for Accounting Unit 4001 in HB1 and directed deletion of section 149 in HB2.
Staff described the proposal as a roughly $3.0 million general-fund increase over the biennium (about $1.44 million in FY2026 and $1.48 million in FY2027, totaling $2.92 million) to reflect a 50/50 funding split for communications costs that had previously been borne fully by the 9-1-1 fund. Committee discussion emphasized this is a temporary biennial fix to align the budget with known costs while recommending a more comprehensive statutory fix next year that would delineate allowable uses of the 9-1-1 funds in line with federal task-force recommendations.
Why it matters: The committee said the 9-1-1 surcharge has been used for some non-emergency radio communications and that federal guidance suggests clearer statutory delineation. The split creates immediate budget capacity (by shifting a share to the general fund) while preserving roughly half of the dedicated revenue for core 9-1-1 purposes.
Vote and process: After discussion, the committee approved the combined HB1/HB2 approach — changing the HB1 accounting unit to be funded 50/50 agency income and general funds and deleting HB2 section 149 — and carried the motion by roll call: motion passed 7-0. Staff supplied estimated dollar amounts and noted the change will require a legislative clean-up next year to specify allowable uses of the 9-1-1 surcharge consistent with federal recommendations.
Next steps: Committee staff will update HB1 and HB2 language to implement the funding-source split and delete section 149 as directed; members signaled they expect a follow-up bill next session to set statutory limits and precise line-item guidance.
