SB317 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Del Marsh

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Cam WardJ.T. WaggonerArthur Orr

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Statewide 911 Board, additional members, 911 charges per account limited, application to digital transmission links, clarified, Secs. 11-98-1, 11-98-4.1, 11-98-5 am'd.

Summary

SB317 creates a statewide 911 funding and governance system by forming a 13-member Statewide 911 Board, clarifying who pays the 911 charge, capping charges at a single location, and extending the charge to digital transmission users.

What This Bill Does

Creates the statewide 911 Board with 13 members appointed by the Governor from diverse groups and gives it authority to administer the 911 Fund, set the statewide 911 charge, and oversee funding for E-911 services. Imposes a monthly statewide 911 charge on each active voice connection and on eligible digital transmission links based on the number of channels accessible to 911; charges are collected by service providers and remitted to the 911 Board, with a cap on the number of wireline charges at a single subscriber location starting in 2015. Requires the Board to adjust charges over time to maintain baseline revenues and to account for inflation, using a formal review process with the Permanent Oversight Commission for future adjustments. Consolidates the CMRS Board into the new 911 Fund, extends administration of revenues to the 911 Board, and standardizes collection and use of funds for E-911 services, including rules governing implementation and compliance.

Who It Affects

• Subscribers of voice communications services in Alabama who will pay the statewide 911 charge on their bills, with charges determined by connection type and, for digital links, by the number of channels access to 911.
• Voice communications service providers and CMRS providers that collect the statewide 911 charge from subscribers, remit it to the 911 Board, maintain records, and may deduct up to 1% for administrative expenses.

Key Provisions

• Clarifies subscriber definitions and how the 911 charge applies to digital platforms and CMRS connections.
• Creates a 13-member statewide 911 Board with specified appointment categories, terms, and initial term structure, including representation from districts and industry groups.
• Empowers the Board to develop a statewide 911 plan, administer the 911 Fund, distribute revenues, adopt implementation rules, and enter contracts related to 911 funding.
• Imposes the statewide 911 charge on active voice connections and on eligible digital transmission links, with charges based on channel counts and a cap on charges per subscriber location after 2015.
• Establishes a process to set and adjust the statewide 911 charge, including baseline revenue targets and periodic CPI-based increases, subject to oversight.
• Requires providers to collect and remit charges to the 911 Board, allows a 1% administrative deduction, and mandates recordkeeping and compliance measures.
• Transitions governance from the CMRS Board to the new Statewide 911 Board and merges the CMRS Fund into the 911 Fund for unified administration.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

E-911