Committee advances measure changing effective date of 9‑1‑1 fee increase after lengthy debate with 911 directors

Sponsor Representative Karinger and several 9‑1‑1 professionals briefed the committee on a resolution to change the effective date for a 9‑1‑1 fee increase and on the need for additional revenue to maintain emergency communications systems.

Brad Anders, executive director of the Knox County 9‑1‑1 District, and Curtis Sutton, executive director of the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board, testified on behalf of the sector. Anders told the committee staff and members about financial pressures and equipment costs, noting the system’s operating expenses: "Our phone bill for the statewide 911 system is 1000000 dollars a month roughly," he said, and argued inflation, equipment replacement and NG911 upgrades justified careful consideration of a fee increase.

Members pressed officials about reserve levels, the state board vote to increase rates, and whether districts face financial distress. Officials said statutory definitions of distress can mask multi‑year negative changes when depreciation is removed from accounts and noted some districts show multi‑year negative change even if audits do not classify them as 'distressed.' After questions about comparative rates in neighboring states and whether Tennessee leads in NG911 deployment, the committee voted to move the resolution to finance and ways & means (13 ayes, 6 noes, 1 present not voting). Lawmakers signaled additional scrutiny of audits and reserve accounting in later stages.