911 Bill clears House Committee

From Michele Abbott, KSAPCO Legislative Chair

This morning, the House Energy and Utilities Committee approved an amended version of SB 50. This legislation represents comprehensive change in the 911 laws of the state. As the bill came out of the House Committee, it:
• Imposes a 55¢ monthly fee on all wireless, wireline, and VOIP services and a 1.1% fee on all prepaid services. The Senate had reduced the amount to 50¢ (and 1% for prepaid).
• The fee will be collected centrally by the Local Collection Point Administrator (LCPA) that will be selected by the 911 coordinating council. Funds will be redistributed to PSAPs based upon zip+4 data. There will be a grant fund available to help smaller PSAPs and each county will be guaranteed at least an annual distribution of $50,000.
• Establishes a 911 coordinating council to be headed by a PSAP Administrator.
• Establishes limits to the uses of these funds that are consistent with current law in this area. Also, requires monies to be repaid to the grant fund if they are used for a non-allowable purpose.

The House's work returns the fee to a level where PSAPs in Kansas should be held harmless (and some will receive enhanced 911 funds). In addition, the House reduced the state bureaucracy that was set out in the Senate bill. If the bill clears the House Floor next week, it will be headed to a conference committee to work out the differences between the House and the Senate versions of the bill.