HB662 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Craig Ford

Independent

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Emergency telephone service (E-911), Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) Board renamed Alabama Wireless E-911 Board, members increased, Attorney General assistance in legal matters authorized, oversight and regulation by Public Service Commission, Secs. 11-98-7, 11-98-8 am'd.

Summary

HB662 would rename and expand the CMRS Board to Alabama Wireless E-911 Board, place it under Public Service Commission oversight, and restructure how wireless E-911 charges are collected and spent to support emergency services.

What This Bill Does

It renames the CMRS Board to the Alabama Wireless E-911 Board and expands its membership with diversity requirements; it places the board under oversight by the Alabama Public Service Commission and allows it to seek Attorney General assistance for legal actions funded by Legislature. It creates the CMRS Fund funded by a monthly CMRS end-user charge (initially 70 cents per connection) and outlines distributions to Emergency Communications Districts and Phase II E-911 costs, while prohibiting the funds from being state property or subject to appropriation. It also requires audits, cost studies, and rules for collection and remittance, and adds safeguards around payments, confidentiality, and enforcement.

Who It Affects

• CMRS end-users (wireless customers) in Alabama, who would pay a monthly CMRS emergency service charge to fund E-911 services (amount = $.70 per month per connection, with potential for a charge based on a percentage of CMRS service price) and would benefit from standardized, statewide E-911 funding.
• CMRS providers and Emergency Communications Districts (ECDs), who would collect and remit the CMRS charges, receive distributions for equipment/maintenance and Phase II costs, may deduct specified collection and administration costs, and must comply with FCC-related E-911 requirements.

Key Provisions

• Renames the CMRS Board to the Alabama Wireless E-911 Board and increases its size to nine members with diversity requirements reflecting the state's demographics.
• Board becomes subject to oversight by the Alabama Public Service Commission and is classified under the Sunset Law, with certain expenses paid from legislative appropriations rather than service charges.
• Authorizes the board to enlist the Attorney General to assist with legal actions and to request legislative appropriations for legal expenses; the AG would defend the board in lawsuits.
• Establishes the CMRS Fund funded by a CMRS service charge (initially $.70 per month per CMRS connection) and outlines how revenues are deposited and spent; funds are not state property and are not subject to appropriation.
• Distributes funds as follows: 56% to ECDs for wireless E-911 equipment and related costs; 24% (beginning Oct 1, 2007) to ECDs for Phase II E-911 expenses; 20% to a bank account to cover CMRS providers’ Phase II compliance costs, with strict documentation and board approval.
• CMRS providers may deduct up to 1% of gross charges for collection costs; the board may deduct up to 2% for administration costs; remaining funds are distributed per the statute.
• Providers are not required to deploy specific solutions, provided proposed solutions are compatible with ECD operations; no hindrance to current provider choices if FCC requirements are met.
• The board may audit and require independent auditors; annual reports and cost studies are required to determine and ensure proper use of funds.
• Remittance information and certain data are to be kept confidential; non-compliance or failure to remit can lead to enforcement actions through the appropriate courts.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Emergency Telephone Service