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H 211

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS ACT – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding emergency communications fees and to provide for certain fees to be placed in the Idaho emergency communications funds.

68th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

House Bill 211 establishes a $1 monthly fee for emergency communications, streamlining funding for Idaho's emergency systems and enhancing local government support.

Reported Printed and Referred to Local Government
#emergencies #fees #funds #grants #telecommunications
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 211

Summary of House Bill 211: Emergency Communications Act

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 211, introduced on February 11, 2025, aims to amend existing laws related to emergency communications fees in Idaho. The primary intent of the bill is to streamline the payment process for telecommunications carriers and enhance the flexibility of how counties can use these fees. This legislation is designed to support the financing and operation of consolidated emergency communications systems across the state.

Key Provisions

The bill includes several significant amendments to existing Idaho Code sections related to emergency communications:

  1. Emergency Communications Fee (Section 31-4804):

    • Establishes a uniform emergency communications fee not exceeding $1.00 per month per access or interconnected VoIP service line.
    • The fee is designated for financing the initiation, maintenance, operation, enhancement, and governance of consolidated emergency communications systems.
    • Telecommunications providers are required to remit the collected fees to the county treasurer within 15 days after the end of each quarter.
    • Providers can deduct 1% of the collected amount as an administrative cost.

  2. Idaho Emergency Communications Fund (Section 31-4818):

    • Creates a dedicated fund within the state treasury to support consolidated emergency communications systems.
    • The fund will receive moneys from various sources, including fees, grants, and donations.
    • Up to 1% of total emergency communications fees collected will be allocated to this fund quarterly.

  3. Enhanced Emergency Communications Grant Fee (Section 31-4819):

    • Establishes an enhanced emergency communications grant fee of $0.25 per month per access or interconnected VoIP service line.
    • This fee will also be remitted to the Idaho Emergency Communications Fund on a quarterly basis.

Impact

  • Who is Affected: The bill primarily impacts telecommunications providers, counties, and local governments involved in emergency communications. It also affects residents who utilize access lines or VoIP services, as they will see the emergency communications fee reflected in their monthly bills.
  • Fiscal Impact: According to the fiscal note, the bill is not expected to result in any increase or decrease in revenue or additional expenditures at the state or local government levels, indicating a neutral fiscal impact.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill was reported printed and referred to the Local Government committee on February 12, 2025, following its introduction.
  • The effective date of the provisions will be determined as part of the legislative process.

Conclusion

House Bill 211 seeks to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency communications funding in Idaho by revising fee structures and expanding the permissible uses of collected fees. By simplifying the payment process and establishing dedicated funds, the bill aims to ensure that emergency communication systems are adequately supported and maintained.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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