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House OKs 10‑cent Phone Fee to Fund Poison Control Center
Summary
The House voted to add 10¢ a month to the emergency telephone charge to fund the state Poison Control Center, expanding the 50¢ existing fee to 60¢; sponsor said 45,000 calls came in last year and 80% were handled by phone; the bill passed 66–3.
The Utah House passed Senate Bill 221 on March 4, 1998, authorizing a 10¢ monthly increase to the emergency telephone charge to create a stable funding stream for the state's Poison Control Center. "Last year, there were 45,000 phone calls came into the poison control center. Of those 45,000, 80 percent were able to be dealt with over the telephone," the floor sponsor said, arguing the service reduces costly emergency-room referrals.
Under the change, the existing emergency-911 monthly surcharge would increase from 50¢ to 60¢; supporters said the incremental 10¢ would fully fund poison-control operations and allow $280,000 previously used for the center to be returned to the general fund and other health programs. Representative Steele (floor sponsor) said the new fee would enable the program to utilize interns, graduate assistants and pharmacy students to staff the center and ensure continuity of service.
After brief discussion, the House approved the measure; the record shows the bill passed the House with 66 yes votes and 3 no votes and was publicly read and signed on the floor. Members also asked the Speaker to spread an intent language note concerning use of the funds for wireless enhanced 911 implementation pursuant to Federal Communications Commission rules (CC Docket 90-402).
The House debate focused on service continuity, cost-effectiveness, use of student and intern staffing and how the charge would be administered. A representative urged that intent language be placed in the journal to guide agencies on coordinating wireless 911 expenditures.
