CS for SB 294 - Emergency Communication Systems Summary

• Establishes a prepaid wireless E911 fee effective January 1, 2015, collected by sellers at the point of sale and remitted to the Department of Revenue, which retains up to 3.2 percent for administrative costs before transferring remaining funds to the E911 System Fund.

• Sets the E911 fee rate at 40 cents per month per service identifier effective January 1, 2015, with authorization for the E911 Board to adjust the rate after June 1, 2015, by two-thirds vote based on cost recovery and funding needs.

• Creates a three-category E911 System Fund structure (wireless, nonwireless, and prepaid wireless) with distribution allocations: 76 percent of wireless category and 96 percent of nonwireless category to counties; 61 percent of prepaid wireless category to counties based on fees reported.

• Requires sellers of prepaid wireless service to register with the Department of Revenue and file monthly returns by the 20th of each month, with options for quarterly or alternate filing schedules based on collection amounts and authorization status.

• Specifies that E911 fees collected may not be included in the base for any state or local tax, fee, surcharge, or charge, and prohibits local governments from imposing additional fees on E911 service providers or sellers.