A bill for an act relating to emergency telephone systems, including the amount and allocation of the emergency communication service surcharge and reimbursement requirements of joint 911 service boards.
Summary
Senate File 2022 makes several changes to Iowa’s emergency telephone system funding structure. It increases the monthly emergency communication service surcharge from $1.00 to $1.15 per originating service number, and directs the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to impose an automatic 2 percent annual increase beginning July 1, 2027, rounded up to the next full cent. The surcharge continues to apply uniformly statewide, and the bill preserves existing exclusions for wire-line-based communications and prepaid wireless telecommunications service.
The bill also changes how surcharge revenue is distributed. Under current law, 60 percent of quarterly surcharge revenue is allocated to joint 911 service boards; SF 2022 reduces that share to 55 percent through June 30, 2028, or until completion of phase 1 and phase 2 of the next generation 911 transition, whichever comes first. After that point, the allocation returns to 60 percent. In addition, the bill repeals the current provision allowing the 911 program manager to seek reimbursement from joint 911 service boards for certain reasonable costs associated with delivering 911 call traffic to public safety answering points.
The bill’s practical impact is to raise the amount paid by users of covered telecommunications services and to redirect a larger share of surcharge revenue away from local joint 911 service boards during the transition to next generation 911. It also removes a statutory reimbursement mechanism that had required boards to reimburse the 911 program manager within 30 days for specified costs. These changes affect the funding and administration of Iowa’s 911 infrastructure, the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the 911 program manager, and joint 911 service boards.
The available legislative context shows generally favorable sentiment toward the bill, as the subcommittee recommended passage and there is no recorded opposition in the provided materials. The bill appears to be framed as a funding and transition measure for next generation 911 rather than a controversial policy change. The main point of potential contention is the increased surcharge on service numbers and the temporary reduction in the share of revenue going to joint 911 service boards, which could be viewed as shifting costs to consumers and local boards during the transition period.
Impact
SF 2022 amends Iowa Code section 34A.7A governing emergency communication service surcharges and revenue allocation for 911 services. It raises the statewide monthly surcharge, adds an automatic annual escalation, temporarily reduces the percentage of surcharge revenue allocated to joint 911 service boards, and repeals the reimbursement provision in section 34A.12. The bill therefore changes both the funding level and distribution rules for Iowa’s 911 system, with direct effects on telecommunications subscribers, the state 911 program, and local 911 boards.
Sentiment
The limited legislative history provided suggests positive or at least noncontroversial treatment of the bill. The subcommittee recommended passage, and there are no recorded votes or committee objections in the materials. The bill appears to have been presented as a technical and funding adjustment to support emergency communications and the next generation 911 transition.
Contention
The main substantive concerns likely center on cost and revenue allocation. Raising the surcharge from $1.00 to $1.15, followed by automatic annual increases, may draw concern from consumers and telecommunications providers. The temporary reduction from 60 percent to 55 percent of quarterly surcharge revenue for joint 911 service boards may also be contentious for local boards that rely on those funds. Repealing the reimbursement requirement for certain 911 delivery costs could be another point of concern for entities that previously expected repayment under current law.
A bill for an act relating to public safety answering points, including limitations, property tax allocation, service requirements, management, consolidation, transfer of duties from joint 911 service boards to local emergency management commissions, and reporting requirements, and including transfer and effective date provisions.(Formerly SSB 3008.)
A bill for an act relating to public safety answering points, including limitations, property tax allocation, service requirements, management, consolidation, transfer of duties from joint 911 service boards to local emergency management commissions, and reporting requirements, and including transfer and effective date provisions.(See SF 2458.)
Transfer and eliminate provisions of the Emergency Telephone Communications Systems Act and the Enhanced Wireless 911 Services Act and change provisions of the 911 Service System Act