HB 885 Summary

• Establishes the Mississippi Emergency Communications Authority as an entity within the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency to oversee statewide Next Generation 911 (NG911) implementation and emergency communications services.

• Creates three funding mechanisms: an Emergency Communications Service Charge Fund (70% minimum distributed to local emergency communications districts), an NG911 Fund (up to 30% for NG911 deployment), and an NG911 Implementation Fund (using existing CMRS provider revenues).

• Requires all emergency communications districts to adopt NG911 plans by December 31, 2028, or lose access to NG911 funding; districts must submit plans to the authority for approval.

• Establishes a 13-member Board of Governance with representatives from public safety agencies, local governments, telecommunications industry, and emergency services to provide technical guidance to the authority's director.

• Repeals seven existing Mississippi Code sections related to the Commercial Mobile Radio Service Board, emergency telephone service charges, and wireless E911 services, consolidating these functions under the new authority.