HB 278 Summary

• Imposes a wireless emergency radio technology subscriber charge of 15 cents per month on each wireless telephone number with a billing address in Ohio, collected by wireless service providers and resellers as a line item on monthly bills.

• Imposes a wireless emergency radio technology retail charge of 15 cents on each retail sale of prepaid wireless calling service in Ohio, collected by sellers at the point of sale and disclosed on receipts.

• Directs 10 cents of each charge to the MARCS administration fund and 5 cents to the wireless 9-1-1 government assistance fund to support operations, infrastructure maintenance of MARCS, and nationwide public safety broadband network services.

• Requires state and local entities to adopt MARCS as their digital radio communications system within five years and allows persons operating advanced communication technology to attach equipment to MARCS utility towers with proper authorization.

• Directs the Department of Administrative Services to work with state agencies to identify available state resources and assets (cell towers, utility poles, buildings, real property) that can be leveraged to expand communications and broadband access throughout the state.