I noticed that this bill reduces the amount of money collected from $1.00 to $.85 and the language that is currently in the bill looks like it could easily be amended to allow for what the wrireless carriers want. It actually makes it so that 50% of the funds collected would go to wireless carriers rather than to PSAP's so it would only double the amount they currently collect at least from prepaid carriers. This seems like the perfect spot for them to make one small language change and have it so it goes to the carriers. -Chris
Here are the things we/maco should be worried about -
Section 4 line 23 of the bill - Decreases the fee for basic 9-1-1 service from .25 to .10 this is a decrease of .15 per subscriber line, this will mean that each 9-1-1 jurisdiction, usually counties, will see a decrease in their quarterly distribution.
At this time the rest of the bill doesn't seem to have any impact on the way the funds work from what I can tell but I have to believe there is an amendment in the wings that will seek to use 10-4-205 to say that any balance in the wireless provider account is refunded to the carrier collecting it.
I also don't see anything in the bill that will get Verizon and AT&T into the room let alone into the fight as it is currently proposed, our best bet would be for MACO to oppose it because it means less money for the 9-1-1 centers in the counties they represent.
Missoula County supports House Bill 509 - Provide for prepaid wireless 911 service charge, before House Appropriations this morning. HB 509 closes a loophole in the law that currently prevents prepaid wireless carriers from participating in the 911 fee system. The current system uses monthly telephone bills to collect the 911 fee, but since prepaid wireless subscribers don't receive a bill, they aren't assessed the fee. HB 509 corrects this and ensures that everyone participates in the system to the benefit of all citizens and to 911 centers. It is our understanding that the prepaid wireless carriers support this bill as it will ensure their participation in future discussions related to 911 services. Please support HB 509.
Respectfully, Dale Bickell on behalf of the Missoula County Commissioners
Missoula County supports House Bill 509 - Provide for prepaid wireless 911 service charge, before Senate Energy and Telecommunications this afternoon. HB 509 closes a loophole in the law that currently prevents prepaid wireless carriers from participating in the 911 fee system. The current system uses monthly telephone bills to collect the 911 fee, but since prepaid wireless subscribers don't receive a bill, they aren't assessed the fee. HB 509 corrects this and ensures that everyone participates in the system to the benefit of all citizens and to 911 centers. It is our understanding that the prepaid wireless carriers support this bill as it will ensure their participation in future discussions related to 911 services. Please support HB 509. Respectfully, Dale Bickell on behalf of the Missoula County Commissioners
Missoula County supports House Bill 509 - Provide for prepaid wireless 911 service charge, before the Senate on second reading this afternoon. HB 509 closes a loophole in the law that currently prevents prepaid wireless carriers from participating in the 911 fee system. The current system uses monthly telephone bills to collect the 911 fee, but since prepaid wireless subscribers don't receive a bill, they aren't assessed the fee. HB 509 corrects this and ensures that everyone participates in the system to the benefit of all citizens and to 911 centers. It is our understanding that the prepaid wireless carriers support this bill as it will ensure their participation in future discussions related to 911 services. Please support HB 509.
Respectfully, Dale Bickell on behalf of the Missoula County Commissioners
I noticed that this bill reduces the amount of money collected from $1.00 to $.85 and the language that is currently in the bill looks like it could easily be amended to allow for what the wrireless carriers want. It actually makes it so that 50% of the funds collected would go to wireless carriers rather than to PSAP's so it would only double the amount they currently collect at least from prepaid carriers. This seems like the perfect spot for them to make one small language change and have it so it goes to the carriers.
ReplyDelete-Chris
Here are the things we/maco should be worried about -
ReplyDeleteSection 4 line 23 of the bill - Decreases the fee for basic 9-1-1 service from .25 to .10 this is a decrease of .15 per subscriber line, this will mean that each 9-1-1 jurisdiction, usually counties, will see a decrease in their quarterly distribution.
At this time the rest of the bill doesn't seem to have any impact on the way the funds work from what I can tell but I have to believe there is an amendment in the wings that will seek to use 10-4-205 to say that any balance in the wireless provider account is refunded to the carrier collecting it.
I also don't see anything in the bill that will get Verizon and AT&T into the room let alone into the fight as it is currently proposed, our best bet would be for MACO to oppose it because it means less money for the 9-1-1 centers in the counties they represent.
Chris
Sent the following to Reps Dudik and Edmunds:
ReplyDeleteMissoula County supports House Bill 509 - Provide for prepaid wireless 911 service charge, before House Appropriations this morning. HB 509 closes a loophole in the law that currently prevents prepaid wireless carriers from participating in the 911 fee system. The current system uses monthly telephone bills to collect the 911 fee, but since prepaid wireless subscribers don't receive a bill, they aren't assessed the fee. HB 509 corrects this and ensures that everyone participates in the system to the benefit of all citizens and to 911 centers. It is our understanding that the prepaid wireless carriers support this bill as it will ensure their participation in future discussions related to 911 services. Please support HB 509.
Respectfully,
Dale Bickell on behalf of the Missoula County Commissioners
Sent the following to Senator Larsen:
ReplyDeleteMissoula County supports House Bill 509 - Provide for prepaid wireless 911 service charge, before Senate Energy and Telecommunications this afternoon. HB 509 closes a loophole in the law that currently prevents prepaid wireless carriers from participating in the 911 fee system. The current system uses monthly telephone bills to collect the 911 fee, but since prepaid wireless subscribers don't receive a bill, they aren't assessed the fee. HB 509 corrects this and ensures that everyone participates in the system to the benefit of all citizens and to 911 centers. It is our understanding that the prepaid wireless carriers support this bill as it will ensure their participation in future discussions related to 911 services. Please support HB 509.
Respectfully,
Dale Bickell on behalf of the Missoula County Commissioners
Sent the following to Missoula Senators:
ReplyDeleteMissoula County supports House Bill 509 - Provide for prepaid wireless 911 service charge, before the Senate on second reading this afternoon. HB 509 closes a loophole in the law that currently prevents prepaid wireless carriers from participating in the 911 fee system. The current system uses monthly telephone bills to collect the 911 fee, but since prepaid wireless subscribers don't receive a bill, they aren't assessed the fee. HB 509 corrects this and ensures that everyone participates in the system to the benefit of all citizens and to 911 centers. It is our understanding that the prepaid wireless carriers support this bill as it will ensure their participation in future discussions related to 911 services. Please support HB 509.
Respectfully,
Dale Bickell on behalf of the Missoula County Commissioners