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House approves amended E911 funding bill, adds rural set-aside and statewide standards
Summary
After extended debate, the House passed a second substitute to HB114 to create standardized, phased-in E911 services statewide funded by an 18' surcharge on wireline and wireless phones, with a dedicated 3' for rural counties and oversight by a Department of Public Safety-administered 911 committee.
The Utah House approved a second substitute to House Bill 114 to manage, enhance and fund statewide emergency 911 services, including cellular "phase 2" location technology. Sponsor Representative Dee said the substitute lowers some fee proposals and dedicates funding to rural areas.
Under the substituted bill, an 18' per-line surcharge would be assessed on both wireline and wireless service to fund E911 upgrades. Dee said that approximates $2.16 per year for an individual line and that revenue would be the exclusive source to fund the described phase 2 implementation. The bill also dedicates 3' of the surcharge for counties classified third through sixth to ensure rural areas receive upgrades.
Members pressed the sponsor on fiscal details and fairness. Representative Christiansen noted a committee consultant had estimated the earlier proposal as a roughly $10 million increase; Dee said the fiscal note on the first draft referenced 19' and that the second substitute reduces the rate to 18' and that the estimated statewide revenue would be roughly $4.6 million under the 18' rate. Questions were also raised about the continued role of local fees: Dee said local charges remain possible and that the bill creates enabling legislation and accountability via the standing 911 committee administered by the Department of Public Safety. The committee would report annually and appropriation decisions would remain with the Legislature.
Representative Dee said the legislation addresses gaps in rural E911 coverage, enables phase 2 cell-phone location capability statewide and provides a phased approach to funding and implementation. Many representatives expressed support for improving response capabilities in remote areas where search-and-rescue costs and life-safety consequences are high.
The House adopted the second substitute with an amendment correcting a code citation and other technical edits, and passed the measure by voice vote; the clerk recorded the final tally as 59 yes and 12 no. The bill will be referred to the Senate for further consideration.
