SB338 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Emergency telephone service, 911 Fund, distribution to districts on per capita basis, Sec. 11-98-5.2 am'd.

Summary

SB338 would replace the current base+per-capita 911Fund distribution with a per-capita-only distribution to districts.

What This Bill Does

Deletes the base-distribution portion of the 911 Fund and specifies that distributions to districts will be allocated on a per-capita basis (by district population). Keeps the 911 Fund as an insured, interest-bearing account administered by the 911 Board, funded by 911 charges and not subject to state appropriation. Continues monthly distributions to districts, but these would be based on per-capita shares rather than a fixed base amount, while other fund rules remain in place. Maintains the separate CMRS (wireless) cost set-aside for Phase II Enhanced 911 costs and the provider-certification requirements to participate in reimbursements.

Who It Affects

• Emergency communication districts (911 districts) — funding from the 911 Fund would be determined by population, potentially changing how much each district receives compared with the previous base-plus-per-capita approach.
• CMRS providers and the 911 Fund administration (911 Board) — the shift to per-capita distributions and the ongoing Phase II reimbursement framework affect how funds are allocated and which providers qualify for reimbursements.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 11-98-5.2 to delete the base distribution provisions and establish that distributions to districts are on a per-capita basis.
• Affirms the 911 Fund as an insured, interest-bearing account administered by the 911 Board, with revenues derived from 911 charges and not subject to state appropriation.
• Provides for monthly district distributions funded from the 911 Fund, using the per-capita distribution mechanism, alongside existing distribution framework for other charges.
• Maintains a separate account funded by 20 percent of the CMRS portion of statewide 911 charges to cover actual costs of Phase II Enhanced 911, for which CMRS providers must certify they do not charge customers separately to participate; non-certifying providers become ineligible for those payments until certification is provided.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and the Governor’s approval.

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

Subjects

Emergency Telephone Service