| TO: | Honorable Chris Harris, Chair, Senate Committee on Administration |
| FROM: | John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB1771 by Keel (Relating to use of certain 9 1 1 fees and surcharges in certain counties.), As Engrossed |
The bill would authorize a county with a population of at least 700,000 that is eligible to collect 9-1-1 emergency service fees and surcharges to use those fees and surcharges for any costs considered necessary by the Commission on State Emergency Communications (commission) and attributable to designing a 9-1-1 system or obtaining and maintaining equipment and personnel needed to establish and operate a public safety or related answering point and operations.
The bill would take effect immediately if it were to receive a two-thirds vote in each house; otherwise, it would take effect September 1, 2003.
Under current statute, 9-1-1 emergency service fees and surcharges may only be used for planning, development, provision, and enhancement of the effectiveness of 9-1-1 service as approved by the commission. Implementation of the provisions of the bill would provide more flexibility in the use of the funds collected.
| Source Agencies: | 477 Commission on State Emergency Communications
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| LBB Staff: | JK, SD, DLBa
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