BILL ANALYSIS
By: Harris
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
State law currently caps the Tarrant County 9-1-1 District land-based phone line fee at three percent of the monthly base rate charged by a service supplier in the district service area. The Tarrant County 9-1-1 District is one of only two districts with a cap of three percent. All other 9-1-1 districts in the state have a cap of six percent. As proposed, S.B. 171 increases the fee rate to six percent to be more in line with other 9-1-1 districts and allow increased flexibility as land-based phone fees continue to decline.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 772.214(c), Health and Safety Code, to prohibit the rate of the emergency fee in certain 9-1-1 emergency services districts from exceeding six percent, rather than three percent, of the monthly base rate charged a service user by the principal service supplier in the participating jurisdiction.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2005.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.