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House approves local-option cellular surcharge to fund enhanced 9-1-1 services
Summary
HB 7 authorizes localities to levy a cellular surcharge (30–50¢) to fund enhanced 9-1-1 services; sponsor warned of rising cellular 9-1-1 usage and possible shortfalls without new revenues. The bill passed 56–6 and advances to the Senate.
Representative Steve Barth sponsored House Bill 7 to authorize local option telephone charges on cellular service to fund enhanced 9-1-1 services. Barth said cellular technology has created new demands on 9-1-1 centers, citing a local center's per-call cost reductions but an aggregate shortfall and a projected increase in cellular lines and calls.
Barth explained localities can choose an option: a 30¢ surcharge without enhanced services or up to 50¢ with an "enhanced" implementation. He said estimates indicate 10–20 percent of 9-1-1 calls originate on cellular phones (the percentage varies by area) and that cellular call volume is growing by about 6 percent per year. He told members the surcharge is a local option and that local 9-1-1 agencies must have an implementation plan before applying certain surcharge levels.
Numerous members declared conflicts of interest (noting they are cellular subscribers). Questions focused on per-month cost to consumers, disparity in enhancement adoption across localities, and whether the surcharge would be imposed on other phone services (the sponsor said the existing landline surcharge would remain unchanged). The House voted; clerk reported HB 7 had 56 yes votes and 6 no votes. The bill passed and will be forwarded to the Senate for further consideration.
