SB285 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Roger Bedford, Jr.

Democrat

Co-Sponsor

George M. “Marc” Keahey

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

E-911 services, Statewide 911 Board, established to replace Commercial Mobile Radio Service Board, service charge, collection by board, deposit into E-911 Fund, distrib. to local E-911 districts for implementing Enhanced E-911, procedures and requirements for districts, Secs. 11-98-4.1, 11-98-12 added; Secs. 11-98-1, 11-98-2, 11-98-4, 11-98-5, 11-98-5.1, 11-98-6, 11-98-7, 11-98-8, 11-98-9 am'd.; Sec. 11-98-7.1 repealed

Summary

SB285 would create a single statewide E-911 system in Alabama, funded by a statewide 911 charge, and replace the local CMRS Board with a statewide 911 Board to manage funds and operations.

What This Bill Does

Creates a statewide 911 Board to replace the existing CMRS Board and to manage a new statewide emergency 911 charge collected into a 911 Fund. Establishes a plan for implementing the statewide charge, distributes most funds to local emergency districts for E-911 infrastructure and operations, and allocates a portion to CMRS providers to help cover Phase II Enhanced 911 costs. Repeals the old CMRS-7.1 framework and sets up new governance, reporting, and auditing requirements, with various effective dates and oversight provisions.

Who It Affects

• Voice service subscribers in Alabama who would pay a single statewide 911 charge on their monthly bills to fund E-911 services
• CMRS providers and emergency communication districts (ECDs) who will collect and remit the statewide 911 charge, receive 911 Fund distributions, and manage reimbursements for Phase II Enhanced 911 costs

Key Provisions

• Creates the statewide 911 Board (13 members) to replace the CMRS Board, plan the statewide charge, administer the 911 Fund, distribute revenues, and oversee E-911 implementation with diversity and appointment rules
• Imposes a single statewide 911 charge on all active voice service connections (including CMRS) with place of primary use in Alabama; charge is collected by providers, listed separately on bills, and dedicated to the 911 Fund; the charge is not taxed as state or provider revenue
• Allocates 911 Fund revenues: a portion (initially a majority) to Emergency Communications Districts (ECDs) for E-911 equipment, maintenance, and operations, and a portion to CMRS providers to reimburse Phase II Enhanced 911 costs; includes mechanisms for audits and cost-recoveries
• Requires independent audits of CMRS and 911 Fund expenditures, with biennial audits and an independent third-party auditor to verify revenues and disbursements
• Repeals Section 11-98-7.1 and amends multiple sections (11-98-1, 11-98-2, 11-98-4, 11-98-5, 11-98-5.1, 11-98-6, 11-98-7, 11-98-8, 11-98-9) to implement the new statewide framework and charges
• Delays full implementation: the 911 Board is to plan and begin coordination with CMRS and districts, with remaining provisions taking effect on October 1, 2012; 11-98-4.1 establishes the initial board and its operations

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

Subjects

E-911