HB 1573 Summary

• Establishes the "Missouri 911 Service Board" (replacing the previous advisory committee) to oversee statewide emergency communications services, with 13 members representing municipalities, emergency services, telecommunications providers, and other stakeholders.

• Creates a new "Missouri 911 Service Trust Fund" to collect and distribute fees for 911 services, replacing the previous wireless-only funding mechanism.

• Authorizes counties and cities to impose a monthly fee up to $1.50 per communications service capable of contacting 911 (including landlines, VoIP, and wireless), subject to voter approval, instead of or in addition to existing tax options.

• Imposes a 3% prepaid wireless emergency telephone service charge on retail prepaid wireless transactions, with collection beginning January 1, 2015, and funds deposited into the 911 Service Trust Fund.

• Expands the definition of "communications service" to include internet protocol-enabled services, multiline telephone systems, VoIP services, and other technologies capable of accessing 911, modernizing the law to address emerging communication methods.