Bill
HB 3164
Extends a high 9-1-1 surcharge for large municipalities to $5/month through 2027, then caps at $2.50/month starting 2028.
Status and procedural history
- Bill number: HB 3164 (companion: SB 1033)
- Introduced: Feb 21, 2025 (Rep. Kam Buckner)
- House action: Passed (3rd Reading 04/08/2025, vote 75–38)
- Senate action: Arrived 04/09/2025; referred to Assignments (04/14/2025)
- Effective date: Effective immediately if enacted
Purpose
- Amends Sections 15.3 and 15.3a of the Emergency Telephone System Act to modify the timing and amounts of local 9‑1‑1 surcharges that municipalities (notably those with populations over 500,000) may impose and collect from subscribers and wireless carriers.
Key provisions and changes
- Extends temporary higher surcharge authority:
- Allows a municipality with population over 500,000 to continue imposing a monthly surcharge of up to $5.00 per network connection (and per CMRS/wireless connection where applicable) through December 31, 2027. (Previously that higher authority was scheduled to expire December 31, 2025.)
- Establishes a new lower cap beginning January 1, 2028:
- On and after Jan 1, 2028, municipalities with population over 500,000 may not impose a monthly surcharge in excess of $2.50 per network connection. (Previously that lower cap was scheduled to begin Jan 1, 2026.)
- Wireless (CMRS) surcharge:
- The bill permits a municipality over 500,000 to continue imposing and collecting a wireless carrier (CMRS) surcharge up to $5.00 per billed wireless connection through Dec 31, 2027; thereafter the surcharge is subject to the post‑2027 limitations (including the $2.50 cap on non-wireline connections).
- Conforming and clarifying language:
- Retains existing provisions about how surcharges are applied to network connections (including PBX/centrex/trunk line rules) and the mobile “place of primary use” sourcing rule under the Mobile Telecommunications Sourcing Conformity Act.
- Referendum/ordinance and recordkeeping provisions in current statute remain in effect.
Who is affected
- Municipalities (especially those with populations >500,000 — e.g., the City of Chicago) and counties that impose local 9‑1‑1 surcharges.
- Commercial mobile radio service (wireless) carriers and other telecommunication carriers (administrative/collection responsibilities).
- Billed subscribers (residential and commercial customers): potential to pay up to $5.00/month per connection through 2027, then up to $2.50/month thereafter for large municipalities.
- Joint Emergency Telephone System Boards and intergovernmental participants where applicable.
Potential impact
- Short-term revenue: Municipalities over 500,000 can retain higher surcharge revenues ($5/month per connection) for two additional years (through 2027).
- Long-term revenue: Beginning 2028, the lower $2.50 cap could reduce future 9‑1‑1 surcharge revenue in large municipalities, potentially affecting funding for emergency‑call systems or requiring local budgeting adjustments.
- Compliance: Telecom and wireless carriers must continue surcharge collection and associated recordkeeping per statute.
Notes
- The bill does not fundamentally change the structure of the Emergency Telephone System Act’s surcharge mechanics; it primarily adjusts the temporary and permanent dollar caps and extends dates.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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