The bill amends several sections of the Idaho Code related to the Emergency Communications Act, specifically focusing on the emergency communications fee and the establishment of the Idaho Emergency Communications Fund. It revises the emergency communications fee to be a uniform amount of one dollar ($1.00) per month per access or interconnected VoIP service line, which will be used exclusively for financing emergency communications systems and reimbursing telecommunications providers. The bill also mandates that fees collected must be remitted to the county treasurer within fifteen days after the end of each quarter and allows telecommunications providers to deduct a small percentage for administrative costs.

Additionally, the bill establishes a new enhanced emergency communications grant fee of twenty-five cents (25¢) per month per access or interconnected VoIP service line, which must also be remitted to the Idaho Emergency Communications Fund within the same fifteen-day timeframe. The fund will be used to support consolidated emergency communications systems and will be continuously appropriated for these purposes. The bill emphasizes the importance of aligning grant funds with strategic goals identified by the Idaho public safety communications commission and outlines the eligibility criteria for counties or 911 service areas to receive grant funds. An emergency declaration is included, making the act effective immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 31-4804, 31-4818, 31-4819