HB263 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ed OliverRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

911 Fund; further provide for distribution of monies

Summary

HB263 rewrites how Alabama's 911 Fund distributes money to local districts, funds a statewide 911 voice/data system, and creates new uses and rules for remaining funds, with an effective date of October 1, 2025.

What This Bill Does

It changes the monthly distribution method to allocate funds for a statewide 911 system first and then for training, advisory services, or district hardship grants with remaining money. It creates a separate account to cover admin costs and Phase II Enhanced 911 expenses, and sets conditions for how much is available to districts each month. It also adds certification rules for CMRS providers related to Phase II payments and makes technical updates to the law.

Who It Affects

• Local 911 districts receive a revised monthly distribution and may access grants or funds for hardship under the new formula and remaining funds.
• CMRS providers (cellular/wireless carriers) must certify they do not charge cost-recovery fees to participate in certain payments; failure to certify or resuming charges can make them ineligible for payments.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the 911 Fund as an insured, interest-bearing account administered by the 911 Board; funds come from service charges and prepaid wireless 911 charges; funds are not state property or subject to appropriation.
• Allows a monthly deduction of up to 1% of statewide charges for administrative expenses and hardship grants; the rest is deposited and distributed according to the new rules.
• Implements a revised monthly distribution to districts: 80% of the CMRS and prepaid wireless charges portion plus 100% of all other statewide 911 charges, or the base distribution amount (whichever is larger).
• Distributes to each district one-twelfth of the base distribution amount plus the per-capita distribution amount each month.
• Redefines the base distribution amount using historic district charges (with adjustments for districts with contracts, E-911 funding, or other factors) and includes provisions for adjustments when revenue projections and actuals differ.
• Creates a separate account to pay for statewide 911 admin costs and Phase II Enhanced 911; remaining funds can support training for public safety telecommunicators, advisory services, or grants for districts in financial hardship (or be shared by majority vote).
• CMRS providers wishing to participate in Phase II payments must certify they are not charging customers cost-recovery fees; failure to certify or resuming such charges makes them ineligible for payments.
• Provides for reimbursements and compliance processes related to the payments and Phase II costs under existing sections.
• Effective date: October 1, 2025, with nonsubstantive technical updates to the code.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Public Safety & Emergencies