Representative Wendell Williard (D-District 49) has introduced legislation which seeks to improve the collection of prepaid cell phone fees to support E-911 operations, which is an ACCG priority issue for the 2011 legislative session.  HB 256 establishes a new system to collect a 75-cent fee at the retail point of sale for each phone sold and each purchase of minutes to reload a prepaid wireless phone.  The fees would be remitted to the Department of Revenue similar to sales tax and be returned to local governments on annual basis.  It is estimated that the collection of prepaid fees would more than double from the current level of $8 million to approximately $20 million. 

 

HB 280 is another E-911 bill under consideration.  This legislation  expands the use of E-911 funds to include the mobile communications vehicles and equipment, indirect costs for 911 system center operations and other functions.  

 

Additional Information:

 

Overview of HB 256 Key Provisions

 

HB 256:  Frequently Asked Questions

 

Overview of HB 280 Key Provisions